Universal Database Management: A Guide to Object-Relational Technology

Chapter 1: Coping with Complexity Evolution of Data Management An Industry at the Crossroads Object-Oriented Programming "Specialized" Data vs. Corporate Data The World Wide Web Which Way to Turn? The Revolutionary Approach The Evolutionary Approach Universal Database Management Systems Arrive Summary Chapter 2: Merging Object and Relational Technologies Moving Beyond Simple Character Strings and Numbers Recognizing Business Rules Supporting Flexible Table Structures Ensuring High Performance Leveraging Ready-Made "Class Libraries" Summary Chapter 3: Managing New, Simple Data Types Supporting Large Objects Storing Large Objects Working with Large Objects Tuning for Performance Reducing Log Activities Creating New Types of Simple Data Integrity Implications Type Casting Summary Chapter 4: Working with Complex Data What is "Complex" Data? Using Complex Types for Column Definitions Working with Columns That Contain Structured Data Advanced Issues Using Complex Types to Define Table Structures Creating References to Complex Types Using References to Access Data Referential Integrity vs. References Summary Chapter 5: Building Business Knowledge Into the DBMS Enforcing Business Rules Automatically Constraints Triggers Linking DBMS Events to External Events Customizing SQL to Meet Your Needs Simple vs. Complex Functions Performance, Security, and Administrative Issues Synergy with User-Defined Types and Large Objects Function Overloading Encouraging Code Reuse Benefits of Stored Procedures Writing Stored Procedures Summary Chapter 6: Modeling Data in New Ways Refining and Extending Data Types Subtyping a Complex Type Substituting One Type for Another Creating Type "Blueprints" Type Hierarchies and Table Definitions Managing Table Hierarchies Working with Table Hierarchies Storing Table Hierarchies Using Collections Defining Tables with Multi-Value Columns Building Nested Table Structures Combining Complex Types, Collections, and Hierarchies Managing Type Creation Summary Chapter 7: Providing Quick Access to Custom Data Indexing Index Structure in a Relational DBMS New Index Structures for New Data Types Maintaining External Indexes Extending Existing Index Structure Introducing Completely New Index Structure Indexing User-Defined Functions Optimization Providing Optimization Hints or Instructions Influencing Cost Estimation Summary Chapter 8: Using Class Libraries What are Class Libraries? Spatial Data Library Time Series Data Library Text Data Library Image Data Library Video Data Library Other Class Libraries Class Libraries and Industry Standards Summary Chapter 9: Distributed Data, Universally Managed File Links for Managing External Data Business Value Typical Capabilities Sample Architecture Multi-Database Servers Business Value Typical Capabilities Sample Architecture Summary Chapter 10: Alternatives to Universal DBMSs Overview Object DBMSs Object/Relational Mapping Services Specialized Servers with an Integration Layer Component-Based Software Summary Chapter 11: What is the Bottom Line? Business Benefits Common Criticism Futures Summary Chapter 12: Is Universal Database Management Right for You? Evaluation Guidelines Types of Data to be Managed Business Rules to be Enforced Performance Issues Complementary Tools and Class Libraries Standards Compliance and "Openness" Integration with Existing IT Systems Other Issues Issues to Consider Before Deployment Staffing Issues IT Environmental Issues Target Applications Summary