Object and Relational Models

Twenty question-and-answer flashcards summarizing key points on object-oriented models, extended relational models, and modern big-data challenges.

In an Object-Oriented Data Model (OODM), what two components are stored together inside a single object structure?

Both the data itself and the relationships associated with that data.

Which three object-oriented programming principles are natively supported by an Object-Oriented Database Management System (OODBMS)?

Inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism.

How does encapsulation in an OODM help maintain data integrity?

By hiding an object's internal state and allowing access only through defined interfaces, preventing unauthorized or inconsistent modifications.

What advantage does polymorphism provide in object-oriented databases?

It allows objects of different types to be accessed through a common interface, enhancing code reusability, modularity, and flexibility.

In OODM terminology, what do we call a collection of objects that share the same attributes and behaviors?

A class.

What is a "method" with respect to an object in an object-oriented database?

An action or operation that can be performed on the object to which it is attached.

What term refers to descriptive or structural information that gives context to data, including format, source, quality, and relationships?

Metadata.

Give an example of a real-world application that naturally fits an object-oriented database model.

An e-commerce system that stores products, customers, and orders as interconnected objects.

What is the Extended Relational Data Model (ERDM) designed to do?

Add object-oriented features to the traditional relational model, enabling richer and more flexible data representations.

Name two advanced features commonly provided by ERDMs beyond the basic relational model.

Support for arrays or multimedia data, plus encapsulation, inheritance, assertions, or triggers.

How do Object/Relational (O/R) database models bridge the gap between object-oriented and relational approaches?

They allow objects to be stored and retrieved directly within a relational structure, combining benefits of both paradigms.

Which markup language was first used for data exchange in O/R databases, and which lightweight format has largely replaced it?

XML was used initially; JSON is now preferred.

List four major categories of NoSQL data stores discussed in the lesson.

Key-value stores, wide-column stores, document-oriented stores, and graph stores.

Why is JSON popular for storing data in modern databases?

It provides a readable, schema-less way to represent nested and hierarchical data structures.

What must designers manage carefully when using JSON to ensure efficient querying and data integrity?

The quality, consistency, and indexing of the JSON data.

What key benefit does hosting a database in the cloud provide?

Automatic scaling to handle increased load or data ingestion speed.

Why is organization-wide data governance crucial for modern databases?

To ensure data is stored, shared, and protected in compliance with federal, state, and industry regulations.

What shift in software development during the mid-1980s drove the adoption of object-oriented and object/relational databases?

The rise of object-oriented programming languages.

Which characteristic makes OODM resemble document-based NoSQL systems?

Relationships are defined inside the object's (or document's) metadata.

In the context of OODM, how is an "object" defined?

An organizing unit that contains a fact, the information about that fact, and its relationships to other facts.