How do object-oriented database models manage data?

Object-oriented database models manage data by storing and representing data as objects, which can be manipulated through methods.

In an object-oriented database model, data is organised as a collection of objects rather than in tables as in relational databases. These objects are instances of classes, which are like blueprints that define the properties and methods of the objects. The properties, also known as attributes, hold the data, while the methods define what operations can be performed on the data.

One of the key features of object-oriented databases is inheritance. This means that classes can inherit properties and methods from other classes, creating a hierarchy of classes. This allows for code reusability and makes the database model more efficient and easier to manage.

Another important feature is encapsulation. This means that the data (attributes) and the operations on them (methods) are bundled together in the same unit, i.e., the object. This ensures data integrity as the data can only be accessed and modified through the methods of the object, preventing unauthorised access and modification.

Object-oriented databases also support polymorphism, which allows objects of different classes to respond to the same method call in different ways. This makes the database model more flexible and adaptable to changes.

In addition, object-oriented databases can handle complex data and relationships more effectively than relational databases. They can store and manipulate not just simple data types like numbers and strings, but also complex data types like multimedia data, time-series data, and spatial data. They can also represent complex relationships between objects, including one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many relationships, as well as recursive relationships.

Furthermore, object-oriented databases are better suited for applications that require high performance and scalability. They can handle large volumes of data and high transaction rates, and they can be distributed across multiple servers to improve performance and reliability.

In summary, object-oriented database models manage data by storing and representing them as objects, which can be manipulated through methods. They offer several advantages over relational databases, including code reusability, data integrity, flexibility, and the ability to handle complex data and relationships.