Object-Relational Database Development: A Plumber's Guide

Description

• Copyright 2001
• Edition: 1st

• Book
• ISBN-10: 0-13-019460-3
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-019460-2

Leverage state-of-the-art object-relational database technology—today!

• A complete step-by-step roadmap and methodology for ORDBMS database development
• Object-Relational data models, query languages, Java, DataBlade modules, middleware applications, and more
• Includes a start-to-finish e-commerce case study
• By one of the world's leading object-relational database architects
• CD-ROM contains all source code, including complete database examples

Foreword by Professor Michael Stonebraker

Object-Relational Databases (ORDBMS) are the "next great wave" of database technology, offering powerful opportunities to enhance flexibility, functionality, performance, and enterprise integration. In this book, Informix database architect Paul Brown explains ORDBMS technology in depth, and introduces a start-to-finish design and implementation methodology for ORDBMS development. Brown covers all this, and more:

• Key features and characteristics of today's leading object-relational databases
• ORDBMS data models, schema, queries, data types, functions, and routines
• The ORDBMS as middleware: integrating the entire enterprise
• DataBlade modules: extending ORDBMS functionality creatively
• Using Java to create UDTs and UDRs

Object-Relational Database Development brings key features, techniques, and methodologies to life through a start-to-finish e-commerce case study that demonstrates the compelling advantages of ORDBMS technology. Whether you're a database programmer or decision-maker, you won't find a more realistic, insightful guide to ORDBMS development.

CD-ROM INCLUDED

The accompanying CD-ROM contains complete, ready-to-run source code, including a start-to-finish object-relational database application.

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Sample Content

Downloadable Sample Chapter

Click here for a sample chapter for this book: 0130194603.pdf

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Object-Relational Database Development.

Overview. Evolution of Database Management Systems. ORDBMS Concepts and Terminology. ORDBMS Advantages. ORDBMS Engineering. Development Example. Structure of this Book. Chapter Summary.

2. Facts, Tables, and Schema: The Object-Relational Data Model.

Introduction: Data Models. The Object-Relational Data Model. The Object Data Model. Object-Relational Structured Query Language (OR-SQL). Object-Relational Schema Definition. Creating Tables. Constraining Table Data. Referential Integrity Constraints. Data Inheritance. Non-Traditional Table Storage. Modifying Tables. Views. Physical Database Design. Database Security and Access Privileges. Chapter Summary.

Tutorial 1. Physical Data Organization.

Table Data: Pages, Heaps and Table Spaces. Large Object Management. Memory Caching. Indices: B-Trees and R-Trees. Tools, Utilities, and Techniques.

3. Object-Relational Queries.

Manipulating Object-Relational Data. Relational Manipulation Operations. Basic SELECT Queries. Object-Relational Structural Features and SELECT Queries. Changing Data Using OR-SQL. UPDATE Statement. DELETE Statement. General Note on Correlated Queries. Advanced SQL. Chapter Summary.

Tutorial 2. The Transaction Concept and its Applications.

Transactions. Implementing Transactions. ORDBMSs and Transaction.

4. Data Type and Function Extensibility.

Introduction to ORDBMS Data Type Extensibility. Overview of Object-Oriented Software Development Concepts. ORDBMS Data Types. Built-In Data Types. COLLECTION Data Types. CAST: Converting Between Data Types. User Defined Types (UDT). DISTINCT TYPES. ROW TYPE. OPAQUE TYPE. Administration of User-Defined Types. Chapter Summary.

Tutorial 3. A Tour of the Available DataBlade Products.

Categories of DataBlade Products. Other DataBlade Approaches.

5. Object Behavior and User-Defined Functions.

Introduction to Extending the ORDBMS with User-Defined Routines. User-Defined Routine Architecture. Creating User-Defined Functions. Function Body. Using User-Defined Functions. Advanced User-Defined Functions. Administering User-Defined Functions. Chapter Summary.

Tutorial 4. Using Java(tm) to Create UDTs and UDRs.

Overview of Java Technology. Java and the ORDBMS. Step 1: Compiling Java Source. Step 2: Combine Class Files into a Java Archive (jar) File. Step 3: Load Archive into ORDBMS. Step 4: Define User-Defined Functions Using the Archive. Java User-Defined Routines. Java Environment Inside the ORDBMS. Embedding Java Classes into the ORDBMS. Design Alternatives for Java Class Storage. Using Java Classes Within the ORDBMS.

6. The ORDBMS and Data Processing.

Data Processing Within Information Systems. Database Stored Procedures. Creating Stored Procedures. Stored Procedure Language (SPL). Administration and Management of Stored Procedures. Active Database Features. OR-SQL TRIGGER. Working with TRIGGERs. Applications of Database Procedures and Triggers. Distributed Data Management. INFORMIX-Star. Replication. RDBMS Gateways. Architectural Implications. Chapter Summary.

7. Client Interfaces to ORDBMSs.

Client Programs and DBMSs. Information System Architectures. Embedding OR-SQL in C - ESQL/C. Managing Result Data. Error and Exception Handling. Communications Layer. Embedded OR-SQL and Application Development. Java Database Connectivity (JDBC). JDBC Queries. Managing Result Data. Java, JDBC and ORDBMS Development. Markup Languages. Web Blade Architecture. Chapter Summary.

8. Object-Relational Database Development.

Introduction to Object-Relational Database Analysis and Design. Database Development Objectives. The ANSI Three-Tier Database Model. ORDBMS Development Methodology Steps. Part 1: Conceptual Modeling. Entity-Relationship Data Modeling. Describing the Entities in the Problem Domain. Describing Relationships Between Entities. Working an Example. E-ER Modeling Summary. Conceptual Object Modeling. Background to Object Analysis. Object Analysis with an ORDBMS. Interface Modeling. Working an Example. Minimize the Set of Object Classes. Conceptual Modeling for Type System Summary. Data Processing and Workload Analysis. Data Processing Operations. Business Rules. Chapter Summary.

9. Object-Relational Database Design.

Design and Implementation of Object-Relational Databases. Implementing the User-Defined Data Types. Implementing User-Defined Functions. Overview of Schema Design. Transformation Procedure. Logical Schema Modeling. Miscellaneous Design Decisions. Testing Techniques. Chapter Summary.

Tutorial 5. Several Examples of Interesting Extensions.

Node Data Type for Hierarchical Management. Ranking User-Defined Aggregates. Dynamic OR-SQL in the Stored Procedure Language.

10. Forging the Perfect DataBlade.

Database Extensibility. How the ORDBMS Uses C UDFs. ORDBMS Programming Environment. SAPI and User-Defined Functions. Argument Handling. MI_FPARAM Argument: Structure and Uses. Coding Guidelines for EXTERNAL UDFs. Large Objects. Top Six Rules for Writing External User-Defined Functions. Chapter Summary.

Tutorial 6. Virtual Table Interface.

Overview of Tutorial. How VTI Works. How the ORDBMS Uses VTI Interfaces. Implementing a New VTI Storage Manager. VTI User-Defined Functions. VTI Memory Structures. Creating VTI User-Defined Functions. Creating a New Access Method. Creating a Table Using the New Access Method. Writeable VTI Interfaces. Applications of VTI. Value Tables. Custom Gateways. Summary.

Glossary.


References.


Index.


About the CD.

Preface

Preface

New technologies are useful to the extent that they enhance some human ability. Simple machines like levers, pulleys, and inclined planes are useful because they make us stronger: that is, they increase the amount of mass that an individual can lift. Information technology—computer hardware and the software running on it—makes us smarter by enhancing our abilities to remember, reason, and communicate.

Computer hardware and software enhances mental abilities because they do the following things extremely well.

• Store information. Computers can record enormous amounts of data, far more than a single person can remember. And a computer's powers of recall are quicker and more accurate than our own.
• Process information. Computers can make a tremendous number of simple deductions quickly and without mistakes. This allows them to process large amounts of raw data to create new knowledge: to produce an analytic summary or to extract a subset of information from it.
• Communicate. Computer networks are very efficient at making information available to widely distributed community of user. And computers can be used to create flexible, intuitive interfaces, helping users comprehend and manipulate information.

These properties account for the way computer systems, and particularly information management systems, have become an indispensable part of modern corporate life. In today's knowledge-based economy, companies are organized into networks of cooperating employees. Each interconnected employee's work assignment is a subtask of what the company as a whole is trying to accomplish. What ties employees together is the information they share. So coordinating employee efforts requires an effective and efficient information management system.

Taking this idea one step further, it is becoming increasingly common to consider your customers and partners as part of the network too. Over the next few years economic transactions between businesses will increasingly be handed electronically. Achieving this requires that businesses make internal information systems available to outside agencies.

The intent of this book is to describe a new information management technology, Object-Relational Database Management Systems software, and explain how to use it. Although most DBMS vendors lay claim to selling object-relational databases, Informix's Dynamic Server product possesses the most complete set of features combined with exceptional performance, scalability, and reliability.

Most readers will come to this book with a familiarity with Informix's earlier products. Some may be anxious about the changes the new technology brings, but hopefully, this book will convince them that everything they know is still valid and useful. For other readers, this will be their first exposure to both INFORMIX and to extensible DBMS technology. Many of these readers will be building information systems that make specific use of the new features.

At this time, most of the features and functionality described in this book are scheduled for inclusion in all mainstream DBMS products. Implementation details vary, but the idea that a database's data model can include more semantic information than is captured with a VARCHAR() has become mainstream. It is enshrined in the SQL-3 standard, and as we shall see it is supported by several open language standards.

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