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BeNOW Object Repository: Overview

The BeNOW Object Repository Framework is a collection of interfaces and classes which facilitate the persistence and retrieval of objects. The repository interfaces provide a consistent view to possibly varying backend object persistence mechanisms. The primary implementation is an object to sql (jdbc) layer that uses introspection and annotations to store and retrieve objects. The JDBC repository makes for very easy persistence of object networks to standard (and free) sql backends.

The Repository framework allows for:

  • Addition, removal and modification of persistent objects.
  • Abstracts the backend persistence mechanism, facilitating the migration from simple (ie serialization based) persistence to relational persistence to (potentially) object based persistence (oodbms) with very minor code changes.
  • Stores all object relationships and hierarchies (including runtime class resolution for abstract and interface declarations)
  • Allows for code based, easy queries for objects on fields.
  • Fine grained tuning for fields (string length, etc) using annotations
  • Management of lists. Objects added to lists causes relationships to be added, etc.
  • Easy field retrieval from gets/sets makes navigation of persisted data a breeze.
  • Runtime introspection and caching is used for all sql interaction, including table creation. No mapping to maintain or get out of sync!
  • Serial object id can be specified, and is honored. When version changes schema is dumped and recreated (after prompting)
  • Flexible registration and threaded notification upon addition, modification or deletion of objects in the repository.
  • is quite fast, with the goal being to make the generated schema as good as if a human had done it (indexes, etc)
There is alot of work in this sucker, and it really speeds up database app development. It also tends to allow for more complex (and useful) hierarchies to be stored, which leads to richer apps.

The BeNOW object repository framework is built on top of several open source heavyweights:

And also the BeNOW Utilities classes. All are included within the Object Repository Distribution.
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