from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
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)