=== modified file 'includes/database/query.inc'
--- includes/database/query.inc	2010-03-09 05:01:45 +0000
+++ includes/database/query.inc	2010-05-19 00:49:41 +0000
@@ -197,6 +197,14 @@ interface QueryAlterableInterface {
    *   The previously attached metadata object, or NULL if one doesn't exist.
    */
   public function getMetaData($key);
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the current connection.
+   *
+   * This method returns by reference. That allows alter hooks to access the
+   * data structure directly and manipulate it before it gets compiled.
+   */
+  public function &connection();
 }
 
 /**
@@ -262,6 +270,16 @@ abstract class Query implements QueryPla
   public function nextPlaceholder() {
     return $this->nextPlaceholder++;
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the current connection.
+   *
+   * This method returns by reference. That allows alter hooks to access the
+   * data structure directly and manipulate it before it gets compiled.
+   */
+  public function &connection() {
+    return $this->connection;
+  }
 }
 
 /**

=== modified file 'includes/database/select.inc'
--- includes/database/select.inc	2010-02-17 05:24:53 +0000
+++ includes/database/select.inc	2010-05-19 00:52:36 +0000
@@ -491,6 +491,10 @@ class SelectQueryExtender implements Sel
 
   /* Implementations of QueryAlterableInterface. */
 
+  public function &connection() {
+    return $this->connection;
+  }
+
   public function addTag($tag) {
     $this->query->addTag($tag);
     return $this;