Object-Relational Databases (ORDBMS) are the "next great wave" of database technology, offering powerful opportunities to enhance flexibility, functionality, and performance. This book explains ORDBMS technology in depth, and presents a start-to-finish design and implementation methodology for ORDBMS development. In Part I, Paul Brown reviews the key features and functionality built into today's object-relational databases. Brown introduces the ORDBMS data model, query language, the basics of ORDBMS extensibility, relationships between the ORDBMS and middleware, and, finally, key APIs used to integrate an ORDBMS with other components of an enterprise information system. In Part II, Brown shows how to use these features and concepts to build a complete, working system. Using a complete e-commerce case study, he describes a semi-formal methodological road map for optimizing the effectiveness of ORDBMS systems. Along the way, Brown also covers database extensibility, DataBlades, and a variety of crucial related issues, including physical data management in ORDBMS environments; using Java to create UDTs and UDRs; ORDBMS system catalogs; and more. All sample code is included on the accompanying CD-ROM.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
Preface
New technologies are useful to the extent that they enhance some human ability. Simple machines like levers, pulleys, and inclined planes are useful because they make us stronger: that is, they increase the amount of mass that an individual can lift. Information technology—computer hardware and the software running on it—makes us smarter by enhancing our abilities to remember, reason, and communicate.
Computer hardware and software enhances mental abilities because they do the following things extremely well.
Store information. Computers can record enormous amounts of data, far more than a single person can remember. And a computer's powers of recall are quicker and more accurate than our own.
Process information. Computers can make a tremendous number of simple deductions quickly and without mistakes. This allows them to process large amounts of raw data to create new knowledge: to produce an analytic summary or to extract a subset of information from it.
Communicate. Computer networks are very efficient at making information available to widely distributed community of user. And computers can be used to create flexible, intuitive interfaces, helping users comprehend and manipulate information.
These properties account for the way computer systems, and particularly information management systems, have become an indispensable part of modern corporate life. In today's knowledge-based economy, companies are organized into networks of cooperating employees. Each interconnected employee's work assignment is a subtask of what the company as a whole is trying to accomplish. What ties employees together is the information they share. So coordinating employee efforts requires an effective and efficient information management system.
Taking this idea one step further, it is becoming increasingly common to consider your customers and partners as part of the network too. Over the next few years economic transactions between businesses will increasingly be handed electronically. Achieving this requires that businesses make internal information systems available to outside agencies.
The intent of this book is to describe a new information management technology, Object-Relational Database Management Systems software, and explain how to use it. Although most DBMS vendors lay claim to selling object-relational databases, Informix's Dynamic Server product possesses the most complete set of features combined with exceptional performance, scalability, and reliability.
Most readers will come to this book with a familiarity with Informix's earlier products. Some may be anxious about the changes the new technology brings, but hopefully, this book will convince them that everything they know is still valid and useful. For other readers, this will be their first exposure to both INFORMIX and to extensible DBMS technology. Many of these readers will be building information systems that make specific use of the new features.
At this time, most of the features and functionality described in this book are scheduled for inclusion in all mainstream DBMS products. Implementation details vary, but the idea that a database's data model can include more semantic information than is captured with a VARCHAR() has become mainstream. It is enshrined in the SQL-3 standard, and as we shall see it is supported by several open language standards.
From the Back Cover
Leverage state-of-the-art object-relational database technology—today!
- A complete step-by-step roadmap and methodology for ORDBMS database development
- Object-Relational data models, query languages, Java, DataBlade modules, middleware applications, and more
- Includes a start-to-finish e-commerce case study
- By one of the world's leading object-relational database architects
- CD-ROM contains all source code, including complete database examples
Foreword by Professor Michael Stonebraker
Object-Relational Databases (ORDBMS) are the "next great wave" of database technology, offering powerful opportunities to enhance flexibility, functionality, performance, and enterprise integration. In this book, Informix database architect Paul Brown explains ORDBMS technology in depth, and introduces a start-to-finish design and implementation methodology for ORDBMS development. Brown covers all this, and more:
- Key features and characteristics of today's leading object-relational databases
- ORDBMS data models, schema, queries, data types, functions, and routines
- The ORDBMS as middleware: integrating the entire enterprise
- DataBlade modules: extending ORDBMS functionality creatively
- Using Java to create UDTs and UDRs
Object-Relational Database Development brings key features, techniques, and methodologies to life through a start-to-finish e-commerce case study that demonstrates the compelling advantages of ORDBMS technology. Whether you're a database programmer or decision-maker, you won't find a more realistic, insightful guide to ORDBMS development.
CD-ROM INCLUDEDThe accompanying CD-ROM contains complete, ready-to-run source code, including a start-to-finish object-relational database application.
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