This book provides a comprehensive, self-contained, and up-to-date introduction to rapidly emerging database systems and technologies.

It incorporates a wealth of information accumulated by the author in designing and evaluating new database systems; defines object data management terms and categorizes a range of new systems; examines without hype or bias the performance and functionality of particular new products and approaches; covers real applications and their requirements; and now includes a valuable overview of industry standards.

Since initial publication, a number of books has appeared with "object-oriented databases in the title. Cattell's work, however, remains the most thorough and most balanced coverage of the new technology, and it is now the most current, as well. His book discusses a much wider range of database approaches, including extended relational systems and object-oriented systems. It also provides deeper insight into the implementation and architecture of these systems.

Any database system user interested in the latest technologies, particularly users with large amounts of complex data to manage, as well as students, designers, and implementors of much systems, will find this book packed with useful information for their particular needs.