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

	

	object-oriented 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)