Methods and computer-readable media are provided for performing a search on a relational database. According to one method, a query class is provided that includes properties that specify how a query is to be performed and how results from the query are to be returned, and an execute method that is called to perform the actual query. A keyword query class derived from the query class is also provided that includes keyword query properties and an execute method for performing the keyword query. In order to perform a keyword query of an SQL database, an instance of the keyword query class is created, the properties set on the instance, and the execute method called. When the execute method is called, the specified properties are translated into an equivalent SQL statement and the search is performed on the identified relational database by a search service.