Object-oriented databases

This report sets out to put the finger on and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of two different technologies of database management, relational database management systems (RDBMS) vs. object-oriented database management systems (ODBMS). The ODBMS is the youngest of the two and has had great success in challenging the overwhelming dominance of RDBMS in many areas concerned with complex data, e.g. computer aided design, software engineering, multi-media etc. The virtue of ODBMSs is their ability to provide a persistent storage for all kinds of objects. These objects can be created in most of the popular object oriented programming languages and can then be stored and manipulated in a safe manner in an ODBMS. The areas, or parts of areas, where RDBMSs are the stronger are concerning solidity of data model foundation, experience, set standards, query optimization, concurrency control locks, support for views, support for security, suitability for on-line transaction processing. Both types of DBMSs are continuously extending their capabilities towards a common goal using different techniques. Whether one will become the sole dominant or if the two will have their own niches of the market is too early to say.