B5-Object oriented database

Object oriented database is a database management system with data represented in the form of objects. This kind of database system is able to restore the data including classes of objects and is able to inherit properties of classes. It must have inheritance, polymorphism and encapsulation characteristics in order to store and retrieve complex data types. This type of database system is used as a complement of relational database, which dominant in the data center for server-side persistence.

Object-oriented database can handle more complex data types than relational database does. Relational database can only store simple database such as name, date of birth. However, Object oriented database is able to store complex data types, such as graphics, videos, CAD and even geographical satellite information. This makes the successful of object-oriented database much more costly than relational database. On the other hand, it increases the difficulties to transfer the database from relational database to object-oriented database. That is the reason why object-oriented database can only become a complement of relational database.

While retrieving data from the system, it is easier for object-oriented database. The object-oriented database stores the classes of objects and properties of classes. There is a great analogy about how object-oriented database stores complex database. It is simulated as parking a car in a garage. The garage is the database with OODB you can drive the entire car into the garage and leave it to be picked up next time when you want to go for a riding. In a relational database, you will need to dissemble the parts and put the parts in different shelves. When you want to pick up your car, you will have to reassemble the car with the exact parts. Therefore, it will be more difficult to retrieve a data without touching the rest of data in the database storage.

Cite: http://www.odbms.org/introduction-to-odbms/odbms-for-rdbms-users/

Comments:
Jenny,
I totally agree with you that object oriented database will help with BIM software since it stores complex data types. I really like your example showing how convenience it is as OODB in opening file and retrieving data.
Matt,
It is true that it used to be very costly to make the change from RDBMS to OODBMS since the difference of data types they store. But i believe it will be more and more popular with low-cost solutions in the future.
Lin,
I can't agree more that OODB can easily and quickly finish the task of data exchanging and determination of computing. It is also the challenge for OODB to accomplish this tasks with a lower-cost and a higher popularity.