Reference: Barsalou, T. An Object-Based Interface to a Relational Database System. June 1987, 1987.
Abstract: The object-oriented paradigm currently receives much attention as a method to increase expressive power within database systems. In this paper, we argue that this increased power can be achieved by superimposing an object-based interface onto a relational DBMS. For this purpose, we exploit a structural model of the database to generate object templates stored separately from the database, and to instantiate those templates using data from the base relations. This architecture provides a clear separation between storage and working representations and allows non-procedural access to objects and multiple views of the same information. In the context of a biomedical resarch application, we discuss the capabilities of a prototype implementation of the interface.
Notes: 10 pages.