We propose a radical departure from the architecture of conventional server-centered database query processing systems. Instead, we propose pervasive query processing on every component of the system: the server, the clients, and the storage components. The demands of modern applications and the current technology trends suggest that it is a significant limitation to require that all query processing is confined to the server. Consequently, we develop an architecture that is based on query processing engines that are integrated on every site of the database system. These software platforms that allow the execution of portable database programs on a variety of underlying physical platforms are called Database Virtual Machines.