Object-Relational Database


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Object-Relational Database

Object-relational databases (ORDBs) combine object-oriented programming with relational database management systems, providing the flexibility of object-oriented programming with the structured data management capabilities of relational databases. ORDBs allow for the storage and manipulation of complex objects and data structures within a relational database framework.

What does Object-Relational Database mean?

An Object-Relational Database (ORDB) is a database management system that combines the features of Object-Oriented programming with the relational data model. ORDBs store data in the form of objects, which are collections of related data and methods that can be used to manipulate the data. Objects can be linked together to form complex relationships, and they can inherit properties and behaviors from other objects.

ORDBs also support the use of Structured Query Language (SQL) for data manipulation. SQL is a powerful and versatile language that can be used to perform a wide variety of tasks, from simple data retrieval to complex data analysis. The combination of object-oriented programming and SQL makes ORDBs a powerful tool for managing complex data.

Applications

ORDBs are used in a wide variety of applications, including:

  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). ERP systems are used to manage all aspects of a business, from finance to Manufacturing to sales. ORDBs are well-suited for ERP systems because they can handle the complex data relationships that are typical of ERP systems.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM). CRM systems are used to manage relationships with customers. ORDBs are well-suited for CRM systems because they can store customer data in the form of objects, making it easy to track customer interactions and preferences.
  • Data Warehousing. Data warehouses are used to store and analyze large amounts of data. ORDBs are well-suited for data warehouses because they can handle the complex data relationships that are typical of data warehouses.
  • Web Applications. ORDBs can be used to store and manage data for web applications. ORDBs are well-suited for web applications because they can handle the complex data relationships that are typical of web applications.

History

The development of ORDBs began in the early 1990s. The first ORDBs were developed by extending relational database management systems (RDBMSs) to support object-oriented programming. However, these early ORDBs were not very efficient or scalable.

In the late 1990s, a new generation of ORDBs was developed that was designed from the ground up to be object-oriented. These ORDBs were much more efficient and scalable than the early ORDBs, and they quickly became the preferred choice for many applications.

Today, ORDBs are a mature technology that is used in a wide variety of applications. ORDBs are particularly well-suited for applications that require the ability to store and manage complex data relationships.