A database manager and a corresponding method for having a database manager extract information from a relational database having, e.g., a star configuration (i.e. having a hub table and related so-called dimension tables) in response to what is called a joining query (one that would require that dimension tables be joined to the hub table), and, in addition, a query according to the invention. The method includes the steps of: having the database manager provide an alias table for a field from at least one dimension table that would be joined to the hub table according to the joining query, the alias table including each value of the field occurring in the dimension table (the aliased field) and also including an alias for each value of the aliased field; and having the database manager transform the joining query into a reduced query in which the aliased field is replaced by the alias.