<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.
