Object-relational mapping

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using an object model of an object-oriented application to automatically map information between an object-oriented application and a structured database, such as a relational database. This is done by taking into account all of the semantics (implications) of an object model, such as inheritance and relationships among object classes, and using these semantics to generate a minimal set of routines for each object class that manipulate the object and other objects to which it is related or from which it inherits. The generated routines, when executed, provide transparent access to relational data or other field-delimited data. Object classes and routines generated using the method encapsulate all the details of database access, such that developers (computer programmers) can write object-oriented applications using those object classes without any explicit reference to or knowledge of the underlying database or its structure. By working with the objects, the user of such applications transparently manipulates the database without needing to know anything of its structure. Applications can be written using the object classes to transparently integrate information from multiple databases.

Abstract: A system and method for database management for providing support for long-term storage and retrieval of objects created by application programs written at least in part in object-oriented programming languages consists of a plurality of software modules. These modules provide data definition language translation, object management, object translation, and persistent object storage service. Such system implements an object fault capability to reduce the number of interactions between the application, the database management system, and the database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for dynamic object-driven database manipulation and mapping system which relates in general to correlating or translating one type of database to another type of database or to an object programming application. Correlating or translating involves relational to object translation, object to object translation, relational to relational, or a combination of the above. Thus, the present invention is directed to dynamic mapping of databases to selected objects. Also provided are systems and methods that optionally include caching components, security features, data migration facilities, and components for reading, writing, interpreting and manipulating XML and XMI data files.