object-oriented database

2 definitions found

object-oriented database - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  object-oriented database
      n 1: a database in which the operations carried out on
           information items (data objects) are considered part of
           their definition

object-oriented database - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  object-oriented database
  OODB
  
     <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)