ORDB holistic design

Abstract

Object-relational databases (ORDB) can be created with a mixture of relational and object-oriented features, giving database designers a wide range of options. However, a poor combination of choices can result in problems with storing, retrieving or updating data. This paper shows that decisions about the features to use in ORDB design require a holistic approach, considering the database design as a whole and as part of an information system. We highlight problems that occur with some combinations of features that can cause poor functionality.