database (OODB) A system offering
DBMS facilities in an
object-oriented programming environment. Data is stored as
objects and can be interpreted only using the
methods specified by its
class. The relationship between similar objects is preserved (
inheritance) as are references between objects. Queries can be faster because
joins are often not needed (as in a
relational database). This is because an object can be retrieved directly without a search, by following its object id.
The same programming language can be used for both data definition and data manipulation. The full power of the database programming language's type system can be used to model data structures and the relationship between the different data items.
Multimedia applications are facilitated because the
class methods associated with the data are responsible for its correct interpretation.
OODBs typically provide better support for
versioning. An object can be viewed as the set of all its versions. Also, object versions can be treated as full fledged objects. OODBs also provide systematic support for
triggers and
constraints which are the basis of active databases. Most, if not all, object-oriented
application programs that have database needs will benefit from using an OODB.
Ode is an example of an OODB built on
C++.
(1997-12-07)