ODABA and Unified Database Theory

The ODABA database management system supports different database model levels as being described in Unified Database Theory. Similar levels also have been encountered in Terminology Model, i.e. when reflecting subject area knowledge in terms of human language. Hence, ODABA not only unifies different database model levels, but also harmonizes human and technical languages.

P0 database models are typically provided as key/value stores. ODABA supports P0 databases by means of extension properties.

Relational databases (entity-relationship models) are considered to be P1 database models, which store data in well-structured instances that are collected in tables. P1 requirements are also fulfilled by object-oriented databases, which may store data in well-structured object instances collected in extents. This way, ODABA also supports P1 requirements.

Beside an instance schema, P2 database models allow storing any number of data collections (e.g. children of a person), which is typical for object-oriented databases. This also includes inverse relationships and inheritance, which also is considered as relationship. ODABA supports the requirements for object-oriented databases (ODMG 2003) and thus, implements also a P2 database model.

P3 database features are typically implemented as aggregation schema (e.g. in data warehouse systems). P3 database models support set relation schemata in terms of subset/super set relations and (hierarchical) classification schemata. ODABA supports set hierarchies (subset/super set relations), classification and aggregation schemata, i.e. ODABA also fulfills requirements for P3 database models.