Object-Relational DBMSs: The Next Great Wave

Michael Stonebraker with Dorothy Moore

Learn why object-relational DBMSs will replace relational systems to become the next great wave of database technology
Database expert Michael Stonebraker explores a new and promising class of database management systems--the object-relational DBMS, and demonstrates why it will be the dominant database technology of the future. Stonebraker contends that object-relational technology is the best type of DBMS to support a wide range of application areas, from time series analysis problems in the financial services market, to the exploding market for data applications such as those accessed through the World Wide Web.

Catch the next wave
Object-Relational DBMSs shows application programmers and information services managers how this new technology can fit into their current database environment. Beginning with an overview of DBMSs from both technical and commercial standpoints, Stonebraker discusses:

Four cornerstone characteristics of a good object-relational DBMS and how to use these characteristics as a yardstick to evaluate any object-relational DBMS.
Construction of an object-relational DBMS and explores the requirements for implementing an object-relational parser, optimizer, and rule engine.
Requirements for extending the functionality of a traditional relational DBMS to the four basic characteristics of an object-relational DBMS.
Strategies for moving to object-relational technology from traditional DBMSs and helps you determine which strategy is most appropriate for your product.

Make informed decisions about object-relational systems
Throughout the book, Stonebraker uses a simple matrix to help you classify and evaluate DBMSs. Also included is a special examination of how select commercial products match up to a list of required features for the object-relational DBMS.

About the authors
Michael Stonebraker is a professor emeritus of computer science at the University of California at Berkeley. He is a founder of Ingres Corp. (now a division of Computer Associates), the founder of Illustra Information Technologies, Inc., a past chairman of the ACM Special Interest Group on Management of Data, and the author of many papers and books on DBMS technology. A well-known lecturer and keynote speaker, Dr. Stonebraker was the recipient of the first ACM SIGMOD innovations award in 1992.

Dorothy Moore is a senior engineering-marketing writer at Illustra Information Technologies, Inc. Her extensive technical writing experience includes the development of user guides, training manuals, and documentation for Novell, Inc. and the RAND corporation.

Info: 1995; 216 pages; paper; ISBN 1-55860-397-2; US&Canada $39.95

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