Object-Oriented Database
An object-oriented database (OODB) is a database management system that stores data as objects, similar to those used in object-oriented programming languages like Java or C++. It integrates database capabilities with object-oriented programming concepts, allowing for direct storage of complex data structures, inheritance, and encapsulation. This contrasts with relational databases, which store data in tables with rows and columns.
Developers should learn object-oriented databases when working on applications that require handling complex, hierarchical data models, such as CAD/CAM systems, multimedia applications, or scientific simulations. They are particularly useful in scenarios where data objects have intricate relationships and behaviors that map naturally to object-oriented paradigms, reducing the impedance mismatch between the application and database layers. However, they are less common than relational databases for general-purpose business applications.