Definition

Noun: A type of database management system in which information is stored and manipulated as objects, which combine data (attributes) with the procedures (methods) that operate on that data. This model organizes data into classes and objects, supporting inheritance and encapsulation, making it suitable for complex data relationships.

Usage

An object-oriented database is used when applications require handling complex, interrelated data with defined behaviors. It is common in software engineering, computer-aided design (CAD), and multimedia systems. - The development team chose an object-oriented database to manage the intricate relationships between product components. - Storing graphical shapes with their associated rendering methods is more efficient in an object-oriented database.

Advanced Usage

• "to map to an object-oriented database": The process of designing a data structure to fit the object-oriented paradigm for storage.
  • The complex class hierarchy was difficult to map to an object-oriented database.

Variants and Related Words

• Object-Relational Database (ORD) or Object-Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS): A hybrid database system that combines features of relational databases with object-oriented database concepts.
• Object Database Management System (ODBMS): Another term for the software that manages an object-oriented database.

Synonyms

• ODBMS (Object Database Management System)
• Object database

Related Terms

• Persistence: The characteristic of an object's state outliving the execution of the program, a key feature provided by object-oriented databases.
• Inheritance: A mechanism where a new class (object type) is derived from an existing one, inheriting its data and methods.

Noun

1. a database in which the operations carried out on information items (data objects) are considered part of their definition