diff --git a/backends/sqlite/include/sqlite_query_result.hpp b/backends/sqlite/include/sqlite_query_result.hpp
index 071e4e6..b609727 100644
--- a/backends/sqlite/include/sqlite_query_result.hpp
+++ b/backends/sqlite/include/sqlite_query_result.hpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #define QUERY_SQLITE_QUERY_RESULT_HPP
 
 #include "matador/sql/query_result_impl.hpp"
+#include "matador/sql/record.hpp"
 
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -9,8 +10,15 @@ namespace matador::backends::sqlite {
 
 class sqlite_query_result : public sql::query_result_impl {
 public:
+  using columns = std::vector<char*>;
+  using rows = std::vector<columns>;
+
+public:
+  sqlite_query_result(sql::record prototype, rows result);
   ~sqlite_query_result() override;
 
+  size_t column_count() const override;
+
   void read_value(const char *id, size_t index, char &value) override;
   void read_value(const char *id, size_t index, short &value) override;
   void read_value(const char *id, size_t index, int &value) override;
@@ -39,9 +47,6 @@ private:
   void push_back(char **row_values, int column_count);
 
 private:
-  using columns = std::vector<char*>;
-  using rows = std::vector<columns>;
-
   rows result_;
   long long row_index_ = -1;
 };
diff --git a/backends/sqlite/src/sqlite_connection.cpp b/backends/sqlite/src/sqlite_connection.cpp
index 9f39d85..f854ba7 100644
--- a/backends/sqlite/src/sqlite_connection.cpp
+++ b/backends/sqlite/src/sqlite_connection.cpp
@@ -37,14 +37,37 @@ bool sqlite_connection::is_open()
   return sqlite_db_ != nullptr;
 }
 
+struct fetch_context
+{
+  sql::record prototype;
+  sqlite_query_result::rows rows;
+};
+
 int sqlite_connection::parse_result(void* param, int column_count, char** values, char** columns)
 {
-  auto *result = static_cast<sqlite_query_result*>(param);
-  result->push_back(values, column_count);
+  auto *context = static_cast<fetch_context*>(param);
 
-  sql::record prototype;
+  sqlite_query_result::columns column;
   for(int i = 0; i < column_count; ++i) {
-    prototype.append(sql::column{columns[i]});
+    // copy and store column data;
+    if (values[i] == nullptr) {
+      auto val = new char[1];
+      val[0] = '\0';
+      column.push_back(val);
+    } else {
+      size_t size = strlen(values[i]);
+      auto val = new char[size + 1];
+      std::memcpy(val, values[i], size);
+      val[size] = '\0';
+      column.push_back(val);
+    }
+  }
+  context->rows.emplace_back(column);
+
+  if (context->prototype.empty()) {
+    for(int i = 0; i < column_count; ++i) {
+      context->prototype.append(sql::column{columns[i]});
+    }
   }
 
   return 0;
@@ -62,13 +85,13 @@ size_t sqlite_connection::execute(const std::string &stmt)
 
 std::unique_ptr<sql::query_result_impl> sqlite_connection::fetch(const std::string &stmt)
 {
-  auto result = std::make_unique<sqlite_query_result>();
+  fetch_context context;
   char *errmsg = nullptr;
-  const int ret = sqlite3_exec(sqlite_db_, stmt.c_str(), parse_result, result.get(), &errmsg);
+  const int ret = sqlite3_exec(sqlite_db_, stmt.c_str(), parse_result, &context, &errmsg);
 
   throw_sqlite_error(ret, sqlite_db_, "sqlite", stmt);
 
-  return std::move(result);
+  return std::move(std::make_unique<sqlite_query_result>(std::move(context.prototype), std::move(context.rows)));
 }
 
 void sqlite_connection::prepare(const std::string &stmt)
diff --git a/backends/sqlite/src/sqlite_query_result.cpp b/backends/sqlite/src/sqlite_query_result.cpp
index 9ee758d..331336d 100644
--- a/backends/sqlite/src/sqlite_query_result.cpp
+++ b/backends/sqlite/src/sqlite_query_result.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 #include <cstring>
 #include <stdexcept>
 
+#include <sqlite3.h>
+
 namespace matador::backends::sqlite {
 
 template < class Type >
@@ -48,6 +50,11 @@ void read(Type &x, const char *val, typename std::enable_if<std::is_floating_poi
   }
 }
 
+sqlite_query_result::sqlite_query_result(sql::record prototype, sqlite_query_result::rows result)
+: sql::query_result_impl(std::move(prototype))
+, result_(std::move(result))
+{}
+
 sqlite_query_result::~sqlite_query_result()
 {
   std::for_each(result_.begin(), result_.end(), [](rows ::value_type& row) {
@@ -57,6 +64,11 @@ sqlite_query_result::~sqlite_query_result()
   });
 }
 
+size_t sqlite_query_result::column_count() const
+{
+  return prototype_.size();
+}
+
 void sqlite_query_result::read_value(const char *id, size_t index, char &value)
 {
   read(value, result_[row_index_][index]);
@@ -265,5 +277,4 @@ void sqlite_query_result::read_value(const char *id, size_t index, sql::any_type
 
 }
 
-
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/include/matador/sql/column_generator.hpp b/include/matador/sql/column_generator.hpp
index 888af3d..172106e 100644
--- a/include/matador/sql/column_generator.hpp
+++ b/include/matador/sql/column_generator.hpp
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 #define QUERY_COLUMN_GENERATOR_HPP
 
 #include "matador/sql/column.hpp"
-#include "matador/sql/table_repository.hpp"
 #include "matador/sql/types.hpp"
 
 #include "matador/utils/access.hpp"
@@ -13,6 +12,8 @@
 
 namespace matador::sql {
 
+class table_repository;
+
 class fk_column_generator
 {
 public:
diff --git a/include/matador/sql/connection.hpp b/include/matador/sql/connection.hpp
index 7869942..578b84b 100644
--- a/include/matador/sql/connection.hpp
+++ b/include/matador/sql/connection.hpp
@@ -29,17 +29,23 @@ public:
   [[nodiscard]] bool is_open() const;
   [[nodiscard]] const connection_info& info() const;
 
+  [[nodiscard]] record describe(const std::string &table_name) const;
+
   template<class Type>
   query_result<Type> fetch(const std::string &sql)
   {
-     return query_result<Type>(connection_->execute(sql));
+     return query_result<Type>(connection_->fetch(sql));
   }
-  query_result<record> fetch(const std::string &sql);
-  std::pair<size_t, std::string> execute(const std::string &sql);
+  [[nodiscard]] query_result<record> fetch(const std::string &sql) const;
+  [[nodiscard]] std::pair<size_t, std::string> execute(const std::string &sql) const;
+
+private:
+  friend class session;
+
+  [[nodiscard]] std::unique_ptr<query_result_impl> call_fetch(const std::string &sql) const;
 
 private:
   connection_info connection_info_;
-  bool is_open_{false};
   std::unique_ptr<connection_impl> connection_;
 };
 
diff --git a/include/matador/sql/query_builder.hpp b/include/matador/sql/query_builder.hpp
index c5fed9d..80564d6 100644
--- a/include/matador/sql/query_builder.hpp
+++ b/include/matador/sql/query_builder.hpp
@@ -54,6 +54,13 @@ enum class join_type_t {
   INNER, OUTER, LEFT, RIGHT
 };
 
+struct query
+{
+  std::string sql;
+  record prototype;
+  std::vector<any_type> host_vars;
+};
+
 class query_builder
 {
 private:
@@ -123,8 +130,6 @@ public:
 
   std::string compile();
 
-  [[nodiscard]] const record& prototype() const;
-
 private:
   void transition_to(state_t next);
   void initialize(command_t cmd, state_t state);
@@ -139,7 +144,7 @@ private:
 
   detail::any_type_to_string_visitor value_to_string_;
 
-  record prototype_;
+  query query_;
 
   using query_state_set = std::unordered_set<state_t>;
   using query_state_transition_map = std::unordered_map<state_t, query_state_set>;
diff --git a/include/matador/sql/query_intermediates.hpp b/include/matador/sql/query_intermediates.hpp
index 0b3c3d5..52bb441 100644
--- a/include/matador/sql/query_intermediates.hpp
+++ b/include/matador/sql/query_intermediates.hpp
@@ -47,6 +47,12 @@ protected:
   using query_intermediate::query_intermediate;
 
 public:
+  template < class Type >
+  query_result<Type> fetch_all()
+  {
+    return query_result<Type>(fetch());
+  }
+
   query_result<record> fetch_all();
   record fetch_one();
   template<typename Type>
@@ -55,6 +61,9 @@ public:
     auto result = fetch_all();
     return {};
   }
+
+private:
+  std::unique_ptr<query_result_impl> fetch();
 };
 
 class query_limit_intermediate : public query_select_finish
@@ -124,7 +133,6 @@ public:
   using query_intermediate::query_intermediate;
 
   query_from_intermediate from(const std::string &table, const std::string &as = "");
-
 };
 
 class query_into_intermediate : public query_intermediate
@@ -149,7 +157,7 @@ public:
   template<class Type>
   query_execute_finish table(const std::string &table_name)
   {
-    const auto &info = repository_.attach<Type>(table_name, record{column_generator::generate<Type>(repository_)});
+    const auto &info = repository_.attach<Type>(table_name/*, record{column_generator::generate<Type>(repository_)}*/);
     return {db(), query().table(table_name, info.prototype.columns())};
   }
 
diff --git a/include/matador/sql/query_result.hpp b/include/matador/sql/query_result.hpp
index 847122b..831774b 100644
--- a/include/matador/sql/query_result.hpp
+++ b/include/matador/sql/query_result.hpp
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ public:
 public:
   explicit query_result(std::unique_ptr<query_result_impl> impl)
   : impl_(std::move(impl)) {}
+
   query_result(std::unique_ptr<query_result_impl> impl, creator_func creator)
   : creator_(creator)
   , impl_(std::move(impl)) {}
diff --git a/include/matador/sql/query_result_impl.hpp b/include/matador/sql/query_result_impl.hpp
index 137a796..edc71af 100644
--- a/include/matador/sql/query_result_impl.hpp
+++ b/include/matador/sql/query_result_impl.hpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "matador/utils/field_attributes.hpp"
 
 #include "matador/sql/any_type.hpp"
+#include "matador/sql/record.hpp"
 #include "matador/sql/types.hpp"
 
 #include <string>
@@ -16,6 +17,8 @@ class query_result_impl
 public:
   virtual ~query_result_impl() = default;
 
+  virtual size_t column_count() const = 0;
+
   virtual void read_value(const char *id, size_t index, char &value) = 0;
   virtual void read_value(const char *id, size_t index, short &value) = 0;
   virtual void read_value(const char *id, size_t index, int &value) = 0;
@@ -79,8 +82,14 @@ public:
   [[nodiscard]] virtual const char* column(size_t index) const = 0;
   [[nodiscard]] virtual bool fetch() = 0;
 
+  const record& prototype() const;
+
+protected:
+  explicit query_result_impl(record prototype);
+
 protected:
   size_t column_index_ = 0;
+  record prototype_;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/include/matador/sql/session.hpp b/include/matador/sql/session.hpp
index b82b3e1..172ccdb 100644
--- a/include/matador/sql/session.hpp
+++ b/include/matador/sql/session.hpp
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ public:
   query_update_intermediate update(const std::string &table);
   query_delete_intermediate remove();
 
-  query_result<record> fetch(const std::string &sql);
-  std::pair<size_t, std::string> execute(const std::string &sql);
+  [[nodiscard]] query_result<record> fetch(const std::string &sql) const;
+  [[nodiscard]] std::pair<size_t, std::string> execute(const std::string &sql) const;
 
   template<typename Type>
   void attach(const std::string &table_name)
@@ -40,6 +40,11 @@ public:
 
   [[nodiscard]] const table_repository& tables() const;
 
+private:
+  friend class query_select_finish;
+
+  [[nodiscard]] std::unique_ptr<query_result_impl> call_fetch(const std::string &sql) const;
+
 private:
   connection_pool<connection> &pool_;
   query_builder query_;
diff --git a/include/matador/sql/table_repository.hpp b/include/matador/sql/table_repository.hpp
index 5bff18d..32d8771 100644
--- a/include/matador/sql/table_repository.hpp
+++ b/include/matador/sql/table_repository.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef QUERY_TABLE_REPOSITORY_HPP
 #define QUERY_TABLE_REPOSITORY_HPP
 
+#include "matador/sql/column_generator.hpp"
 #include "matador/sql/record.hpp"
 
 #include <optional>
@@ -20,12 +21,11 @@ class table_repository
 {
 public:
   template<typename Type>
-  const table_info& attach(const std::string &table_name, const record &proto)
+  const table_info& attach(const std::string &table_name)
   {
-    return attach(std::type_index(typeid(Type)), table_name, proto);
+    return attach(std::type_index(typeid(Type)), table_info{table_name, record{column_generator::generate<Type>(*this)}});
   }
 
-  const table_info& attach(std::type_index ti, const std::string &table_name, const record &proto);
   const table_info& attach(std::type_index ti, const table_info& table);
 
   template<typename Type>
diff --git a/src/sql/column_generator.cpp b/src/sql/column_generator.cpp
index 3846408..56afb2d 100644
--- a/src/sql/column_generator.cpp
+++ b/src/sql/column_generator.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 #include "matador/sql/column_generator.hpp"
+#include "matador/sql/table_repository.hpp"
 
 namespace matador::sql {
 
diff --git a/src/sql/connection.cpp b/src/sql/connection.cpp
index bcda76d..0e1ccec 100644
--- a/src/sql/connection.cpp
+++ b/src/sql/connection.cpp
@@ -63,14 +63,25 @@ const connection_info &connection::info() const
   return connection_info_;
 }
 
-query_result<record> connection::fetch(const std::string &sql)
+record connection::describe(const std::string &table_name) const
+{
+  return std::move(connection_->describe(table_name));
+}
+
+query_result<record> connection::fetch(const std::string &sql) const
 {
   auto rec = connection_->describe("person");
   return {connection_->fetch(sql), [rec](){ return new record(rec); }};
 }
 
-std::pair<size_t, std::string> connection::execute(const std::string &sql)
+std::pair<size_t, std::string> connection::execute(const std::string &sql) const
 {
   return {connection_->execute(sql), sql};
 }
+
+std::unique_ptr<query_result_impl> connection::call_fetch(const std::string &sql) const
+{
+  return connection_->fetch(sql);
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/src/sql/query_builder.cpp b/src/sql/query_builder.cpp
index 8b2dd9e..00ba5af 100644
--- a/src/sql/query_builder.cpp
+++ b/src/sql/query_builder.cpp
@@ -108,13 +108,13 @@ query_builder& query_builder::select(const std::vector<std::string> &column_name
 
   query_parts_.emplace_back(dialect_.token_at(dialect::token_t::SELECT) + " ");
 
-  prototype_.clear();
+  query_.prototype.clear();
 
   std::string result;
   if (column_names.size() < 2) {
     for (const auto &col : column_names) {
       result.append(dialect_.prepare_identifier(col));
-      prototype_.append(column{col});
+      query_.prototype.append(column{col});
     }
   } else {
     auto it = column_names.begin();
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ query_builder& query_builder::select(const std::vector<std::string> &column_name
     for (; it != column_names.end(); ++it) {
       result.append(", ");
       result.append(dialect_.prepare_identifier(*it));
-      prototype_.append(column{*it});
+      query_.prototype.append(column{*it});
     }
   }
 
@@ -262,17 +262,20 @@ query_builder& query_builder::values(const std::vector<any_type> &values) {
   std::string result{"("};
   if (values.size() < 2) {
     for (auto val : values) {
+      query_.host_vars.push_back(val);
       std::visit(value_to_string_, val);
       result.append(value_to_string_.result);
     }
   } else {
     auto it = values.begin();
     auto val = *it++;
+    query_.host_vars.push_back(val);
     std::visit(value_to_string_, val);
     result.append(value_to_string_.result);
     for (; it != values.end(); ++it) {
       result.append(", ");
       val = *it;
+      query_.host_vars.push_back(val);
       std::visit(value_to_string_, val);
       result.append(value_to_string_.result);
     }
@@ -403,11 +406,6 @@ std::string query_builder::compile() {
   return result;
 }
 
-const record& query_builder::prototype() const
-{
-  return prototype_;
-}
-
 void query_builder::transition_to(query_builder::state_t next)
 {
   if (transitions_[state_].count(next) == 0) {
@@ -419,6 +417,7 @@ void query_builder::transition_to(query_builder::state_t next)
 void query_builder::initialize(query_builder::command_t cmd, query_builder::state_t state)
 {
   command_ = cmd;
+  query_ = {};
   state_ = state;
   query_parts_.clear();
 }
@@ -432,11 +431,9 @@ std::string build_create_column(const column &col, const dialect &d, column_cont
         result.append(" NOT NULL");
     }
     if (is_constraint_set(col.attributes().options(), utils::constraints::PRIMARY_KEY)) {
-//        result.append(" PRIMARY KEY");
         context.primary_keys.emplace_back(col.name());
     }
     if (is_constraint_set(col.attributes().options(), utils::constraints::FOREIGN_KEY)) {
-//        result.append(" FOREIGN KEY");
         context.foreign_contexts.push_back({col.name(), col.ref_table(), col.ref_column()});
     }
 
diff --git a/src/sql/query_intermediates.cpp b/src/sql/query_intermediates.cpp
index 847c27f..3ae8866 100644
--- a/src/sql/query_intermediates.cpp
+++ b/src/sql/query_intermediates.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@ record query_select_finish::fetch_one()
   return *db().fetch(query().compile()).begin().get();
 }
 
+std::unique_ptr<query_result_impl> query_select_finish::fetch()
+{
+  return db().call_fetch(query().compile());
+}
+
 query_intermediate::query_intermediate(session &db, query_builder &query)
 : db_(db), query_(query) {}
 
diff --git a/src/sql/query_result_impl.cpp b/src/sql/query_result_impl.cpp
index f0f199c..e67ba1b 100644
--- a/src/sql/query_result_impl.cpp
+++ b/src/sql/query_result_impl.cpp
@@ -28,4 +28,13 @@ query_result_impl::on_attribute(const char *id, any_type &value, data_type_t typ
   read_value(id, column_index_++, value, type, attr.size());
 }
 
+const record& query_result_impl::prototype() const
+{
+  return prototype_;
+}
+
+query_result_impl::query_result_impl(record prototype)
+: prototype_(std::move(prototype))
+{}
+
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/sql/record.cpp b/src/sql/record.cpp
index c023cce..10666d0 100644
--- a/src/sql/record.cpp
+++ b/src/sql/record.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@ record::record(const std::vector<column> &columns)
   init();
 }
 
+const std::vector<column> &record::columns() const
+{
+  return columns_;
+}
+
 bool record::has_primary_key() const
 {
   return pk_index_ > -1;
@@ -30,11 +35,6 @@ const column &record::primary_key() const
   return columns_[pk_index_];
 }
 
-const std::vector<column> &record::columns() const
-{
-  return columns_;
-}
-
 const column &record::at(const std::string &name) const
 {
   return columns_by_name_.at(name).first;
@@ -113,7 +113,6 @@ void record::init()
   size_t index{0};
   for(auto &col : columns_) {
     add_to_map(col, index++);
-//    columns_by_name_.emplace(col.name(), column_index_pair {std::ref(col), index++});
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/sql/session.cpp b/src/sql/session.cpp
index caf8b8a..b176358 100644
--- a/src/sql/session.cpp
+++ b/src/sql/session.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ query_drop_intermediate session::drop()
 
 query_select_intermediate session::select(std::initializer_list<std::string> column_names)
 {
+
   return query_select_intermediate{*this, query_.select(column_names)};
 }
 
@@ -40,15 +41,14 @@ query_delete_intermediate session::remove()
   return query_delete_intermediate{*this, query_.remove()};
 }
 
-query_result<record> session::fetch(const std::string &sql) {
-  auto c = pool_.acquire();
-  if (!c.valid()) {
-    throw std::logic_error("no database connection available");
-  }
-  return c->fetch(sql);
+query_result<record> session::fetch(const std::string &sql) const
+{
+  auto res = call_fetch(sql);
+  auto proto = res->prototype();
+  return query_result<record>{std::move(res), [proto]() { return new record(proto); }};
 }
 
-std::pair<size_t, std::string> session::execute(const std::string &sql) {
+std::pair<size_t, std::string> session::execute(const std::string &sql) const {
   auto c = pool_.acquire();
   if (!c.valid()) {
     throw std::logic_error("no database connection available");
@@ -60,4 +60,14 @@ const table_repository& session::tables() const
 {
   return table_repository_;
 }
+
+std::unique_ptr<query_result_impl> session::call_fetch(const std::string &sql) const
+{
+  auto c = pool_.acquire();
+  if (!c.valid()) {
+    throw std::logic_error("no database connection available");
+  }
+  return c->call_fetch(sql);
+}
+
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/sql/table_repository.cpp b/src/sql/table_repository.cpp
index b6697e1..af6e4c1 100644
--- a/src/sql/table_repository.cpp
+++ b/src/sql/table_repository.cpp
@@ -4,11 +4,6 @@
 
 namespace matador::sql {
 
-const table_info &table_repository::attach(std::type_index ti, const std::string &table_name, const record &proto)
-{
-  return attach(ti, table_info{table_name, proto});
-}
-
 const table_info& table_repository::attach(const std::type_index ti, const table_info& table)
 {
   return repository_.try_emplace(ti, table).first->second;
diff --git a/test/session.cpp b/test/session.cpp
index 76204b6..78fb06a 100644
--- a/test/session.cpp
+++ b/test/session.cpp
@@ -161,12 +161,13 @@ TEST_CASE("Execute select statement with where clause", "[session]") {
          .execute();
   REQUIRE(res.first == 1);
 
-  auto result = s.select<person>()
-                 .from("person")
-                 .where("id"_col == 7)
-                 .fetch_all();
+  // fetch person as record
+  auto result_record = s.select<person>()
+                        .from("person")
+                        .where("id"_col == 7)
+                        .fetch_all();
 
-  for (const auto& i : result) {
+  for (const auto& i : result_record) {
     REQUIRE(i.size() == 3);
     REQUIRE(i.at(0).name() == "id");
     REQUIRE(i.at(0).type() == data_type_t::type_long_long);
@@ -179,10 +180,19 @@ TEST_CASE("Execute select statement with where clause", "[session]") {
     REQUIRE(i.at(2).value<long long>() == george.age);
   }
 
-//  REQUIRE(res.str() == R"(SELECT "id", "name", "color" FROM "person" WHERE "id" = 8)");
+  // fetch person as person
+  auto result_person = s.select<person>()
+                        .from("person")
+                        .where("id"_col == 7)
+                        .fetch_all<person>();
+
+  for (const auto& i : result_person) {
+    REQUIRE(i.id == 7);
+    REQUIRE(i.name == "george");
+    REQUIRE(i.age == 45);
+  }
 
   s.drop().table("person").execute();
-
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("Execute select statement with order by", "[session]") {