A method for generating an execution plan for updating and retrieving data from a database in a single process includes: receiving a statement by a server to update a database with a first set of data and to retrieve a second set of data from the database; building a first execution plan to update the database with the first set of data; building a second execution plan to retrieve the second set of data from the database; and building a single execution plan including a combination of the first and second execution plans. The single execution plan allows for the updating and retrieval of data with a single crossing of an interface between a client and the database. By performing both functions in this manner, the efficiency of performing such tasks on the database is significantly increased.