Summary Comparison of DBMS Standards

The following table shows the comparison of SQL-92, JDBC, SQLJ, SQL:1999, ODMG 3.0, and JDO on their respective models, data definition languages, query languages, and data manipulation languages. The table is completed with the idea you will be using an object programming language such as Java or C++.

This table is not a comparison of database management systems (DBMSs). It is really a comparison of application program interfaces (APIs). This is because any of these APIs can be used with virtually any DBMS. For example, SQL-92 and JDBC are often associated with relational DBMSs. Both APIs, however, are also used with various object DBMSs. Conversely, ODMG 3.0 is often associated with object DBMSs, but in reality, it is also used with object-relational mapping products for relational DBMSs.

An important term to know is transparent persistence. You can see the term used in the table for the ODMG 3.0 and JDO specifications. For more information on transparent persistence, see:

For more information on each of the specifications, see the menu choices at the right on the bottom of the section.

Feature SQL-92 JDBC SQLJ SQL:1999 ODMG 3.0 JDO
Model relational model relational model Parts 0 & 1: relational model

Part 2: SQL:1999 object model
()

 SQL:1999 object model
()		 Java, C++, and Smalltalk object models enhanced for transparent persistence

The model with the transparent persistence enhancements is a superset of the OMG Common Object Model

 Java object model enhanced for transparent persistence
Data Definition Language SQL SQL SQL SQL Object Definition Language (ODL)  which is a superset of the OMG Interface Definition Language (IDL) Java & XML
Query Language Embedded SQL, Dynamic SQL, and Call-level interface Call-level interface for SQL Embedded SQL Embedded SQL, Dynamic SQL, and Call-level interface Object Query Language (OQL) which is based on SQL-92 JDO Query Language (JDOQL)
()
Data Manipulation Language Embedded SQL, Dynamic SQL, and Call-level interface Call-level interface for SQL and Java Embedded SQL and Java Embedded SQL, Dynamic SQL, and Call-level interface Java, C++, or Smalltalk Java
Specification Based On SQL-89 Java & SQL-92 Java, JDBC & SQL:1999 SQL-92 OMG Common Object Model, OMG IDL, SQL-92, Java, C++, and Smalltallk Java & XML

From the table, you can see that SQL differs from the other specifications because it defines its own model, data definition language, query language, and data manipulation language. Both SQL-92 and SQL:1999 do not build on any specifications other than versions of SQL.

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