252-0355-00L  Object Databases

SemesterSpring Semester 2016
LecturersA. K. de Spindler
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractThe course examines the principles and techniques of providing data management in object-oriented programming environments. After introducing the basics of object storage and management, we will cover semantic object models and their implementation. Finally, we discuss advanced data management services such as version models for temporal and engineering databases and for software configuration.
ObjectiveThe goal of this course is to extend the student's knowledge of database technologies towards object-oriented solutions. Starting with basic principles, students also learn about commercial products and research projects in the domain of object-oriented data management. Apart from getting to know the characteristics of these approaches and the differences between them, the course also discusses what application requirements justify the use of object-oriented databases. Therefore, it educates students to make informed decisions on when to use what database technology.
ContentThe course examines the principles and techniques of providing data management in object-oriented programming environments. It is divided into three parts that cover the road from simple object persistence, to object-oriented database management systems and to advanced data management services. In the first part, object serialisation and object-relational mapping frameworks will be introduced. Using the example of the open-source project db4o, the utilisation, architecture and functionality of a simple object-oriented database is discussed. The second part of the course is dedicated to advanced topics such as industry standards and solutions for object data management as well as storage and index technologies. Additionally, advanced data management services such as version models for temporal and engineering databases as well as for software configuration are discussed. In the third and last part of the course, an object-oriented data model that features a clear separation of typing and classification is presented. Together with the model, its implementation in terms of an object-oriented database management system is discussed also. Finally, an extension of this data model is presented that allows context-aware data to be managed.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Knowledge about the topics of the lectures "Introduction to Databases" and "Information Systems" is required.