On Object Oriented Database Systems

This well-received book, now in its third edition, is a comprehensive presentation of the fundamentals of object-oriented database systems (OODBMS). It provides extensive coverage of the different approaches to object data management, including the three major approaches--semantic database systems approach, object-oriented programming language extension approach, and the relational extension approach--as well as the various types of architectures of object-oriented database systems. The book discusses all recent developments in this field, such as the emergence of Java as the dominant object-oriented programming language--resulting in upcoming OODBMS products such as Ozone--and the provision of object-oriented database features in object-relational database systems (ORDBMS) products such as Oracle 9i and DB2. The new edition provides an extensive discussion of PostgreSQL, a popular open source object-oriented database system which has emerged as a viable alternative to expensive commercial database systems such as Oracle. The book is extensively illustrated, which enables students to develop a firm grasp of the underlying concepts. The chapter-end exercises help in testing the students' comprehension of the fundamental principles. The book is primarily meant for students of IT-related programmes having courses in database systems. Computer professionals will also find the book immensely useful.

Computer Science Workbench is a monograph series which will provide you with an in depth working knowledge of current developments in computer technology. Every volume in this series will deal with a topic of importance in computer science and elaborate on how you yourself can build systems related to the main theme. You will be able to develop a variety of systems, including computer software tools, computer graphics, computer animation, database management systems, and computer-aided design and manufacturing systems. Computer Science Workbench represents an important new contribution in the field of practical computer technology. Tosiyasu L. Kunii Preface The goal of this book is to give concrete answers to questions such as what object oriented databases are, why they are needed, how they are implemented, and how they are applied, by describing a research prototype object-oriented database system called Jasmine. That is, this book is aimed at creating a consistent view to object-oriented databases. The contents of this book are directly based on the results of the Jasmine project conducted at Fujitsu Laboratories, Ltd. The book is a polished version of my doctoral dissertation, which includes research papers which I have authored and published.

Introduction to Object-Oriented Databases provides the first unified and coherent presentation of the essential concepts and techniques of object-oriented databases. It consolidates the results of research and development in the semantics and implementation of a full spectrum of database facilities for object-oriented systems, including data model, query, authorization, schema evolution, storage structures, query optimization, transaction management, versions, composite objects, and integration of a programming language and a database system.The book draws on the author's Orion project at MCC, currently the most advanced object-oriented database system, and places this work in a larger context by using relational database systems and other object-oriented systems for comparison.Won Kim is Director of the Object-Oriented and Distributed Systems Laboratory at Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) in Austin, Texas.Contents: Introduction. Data Model. Basic Interface. Relationships with Non-Object-Oriented Databases. Schema Modification. Model of Queries. Query Language. Authorization. Storage Structures. Query Processing. Transaction Management. Semantic Extensions. Integrating Object-Oriented Programming and Databases. Architecture. Survey of Object-Oriented Database Systems. Directions for Future Research and Development.

Object-oriented database systems have been approached with mainly two major intentions in mind, namely to better support new application areas including CAD/CAM, office automation, knowledge engineering, and to overcome the `impendance mismatch' between data models and programming languages. This volume gives a comprehensive overwiew of developments in this flourishing area of current database research. Data model and language aspects, interface and database design issues, architectural and implementation questions are covered. Although based on a series of workshops, the contents of this book has been carefully edited to reflect the current state of international research in object oriented database design and implementation.

This book will help you make sense of the conflicting theories and vendor claims about object-oriented database systems."--BOOK JACKET.

This revised introduction to object-oriented and extended relational database systems incorporates significant developments in the field since its first edition. An expanded section describes currently available products. A new chapter covers the recently completed ODMG-93 standard (whose committee was chaired by the author) and progress on the SQL3 standard.

Object-oriented database management systems (OODBMSs) have generated significant excitement in the database community in the last decade. This interest stems from a real need for data management support for what are called "advanced application areas" that are not well-served by relational technology. The case for object-oriented technology has been made on three fronts. First is the data modeling requirements of the new applications. Some of the more important shortcomings of the relational systems in meeting the requirements of these applications include: 1. Relational systems deal with a single object type: a relation. A relation is used to model different real-world objects, but the semantics of this association is not part of the database. Furthermore, the attributes of a relation may come only from simple and fixed data type domains (numeric, character, and, sometimes, date types). Advanced applications require explicit storage and manipulation of more abstract types (e.g., images, design documents) and the ability for the users to define their own application-specific types. Therefore, a rich type system supporting user defined abstract types is required. 2. The relational model structures data in a relatively simple and flat manner. Non traditional applications require more complex object structures with nested objects (e.g., a vehicle object containing an engine object).

Object-Oriented Database Systems offers a clear introduction to the concepts and features of object-oriented database, illustrated with several examples of current commercial systems. Professional database designers and users who want a clear guide to the current state of the art will find this book a must.