It is difficult to speculate on the future development of database models. Will unstructured data management overcome structured data management? We think that each approach complements and augments the other. O/R databases have proven to efficiently support structured and unstructured data management. Furthermore, history has shown that O/R DBMS are remarkably adaptable in supporting ever-evolving data management needs. Two examples of this evolution are:
Hybrid DBMSs
Hybrid DBMSs are emerging that retain the advantages of the relational model and at the same time provide programmers with an object-oriented view of the underlying data. These types of databases preserve the performance characteristics of the relational model and the semantically rich programmatic support of the object-oriented model.
SQL data services
SQL data services, such as Microsoft SQL Data Services (SDS) on its Azure Services Platform, are becoming a critical component of relational database vendors’ Internet service strategies. These “cloud-based” (that is, remotely processed and Internet-based) data services make it possible for companies of any size to store their data in relational databases without incurring expensive hardware, software, and personnel costs, while having access to high-end database features such as failover, backup, high transaction rates, and global data distribution. Companies can use a “pay as you go” system based primarily on their storage and bandwidth utilization and the features used