Objects, Relations, and the Real World

By: Craig Borysowich Chief Technology Architect Imagination Edge Inc. www.imedge.net Version 1.0

Objects, Relations, and the Real World Abstract
This paper discusses object technology and database management as they interact on software development projects. It calls attention to the difficult problems faced by the designers and the development team. The paper points out that the important issue is not the structure of the database (object vs. relational), but rather the capability of the database management system to deal with the difficult problems faced.

Introduction
In the coming years we will see more and more software development projects using object languages, such as Eiffel, Smalltalk, COBOL, C++, and derivatives of these, such as Java. These projects will also use object analysis and design methods. If storage of a lot of data is an important part of the project, then the project team will be right in the middle of the questions discussed in this paper, talking about objects (as in object technology) and relations (as in database technology). There are many opinions on the connection of object technology and database technology. Sometimes the discussions will sound like those between BigEndians and LittleEndians; other times like those among lapsed religionists; and again, like those between the righteous on the one hand and the backsliders and out and out sinners on the other. There will also be many times when a participant in the discussion sounds as though he is a used car salesman.1 From time to time, as a project talks about objects and relations, the discussion will turn to the real world: How best, with the possible technologies at hand, to deliver what the customer needs. The paper points out that most of the important issues do not depend on the structure of the database (object vs. relational). They have to do with the capabilities of the database management system to deal with the difficult... [continues]

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