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What Is a Data Cartridge?

With the release of Oracle8i, the traditional server has evolved into an Object-Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS). This means that in addition to the efficient and secure management of data ordered under the relational model, Oracle now also provides support for data organized under the object model. Object types and other Oracle8i features, such as large objects (LOBs), external procedures, extensible indexing and query optimization, can be used to build powerful, reusable server-based components called data cartridges.

This chapter introduces the following introductory information about data cartridges:

• What Are Data Cartridges?

• Why Build Data Cartridges?

• Extending the Server -- Services and Interfaces

• Extensibility Services

• Extensibility Interfaces

• Cartridges as Software Components