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.

P 0 database models are typically provided as key/value stores. ODABA supports P 0 databases by means of extension properties.

Relational databases (entity-relationship models) are considered to be P 1 database models, which store data in well-structured instances that are collected in tables. P 1 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 P 1 requirements.

Beside an instance schema, P 2 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 P 2 database model.

P 3 database features are typically implemented as aggregation schema (e.g. in data warehouse systems). P 3 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 P 3 database models.