The on-going debate between proponents of the relational data model and proponents of the object-oriented data model (if one truly exists), resembles that between the proponents of network/hierarchic systems and relational systems a couple of decades ago. However, another system is evolving that may have a significant impact on what the database management system of the future may be and that is the Object-Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS).
Give your definition of an ORDBMS. Compare and contrast the ORDBMS and the Object-Oriented Database Management System (OODBMS).

Question

The on-going debate between proponents of the relational data model and proponents of the object-oriented data model (if one truly exists), resembles that between the proponents of network/hierarchic systems and relational systems a couple of decades ago. However, another system is evolving that may have a significant impact on what the database management system of the future may be and that is the Object-Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS). 
Give your definition of an ORDBMS. Compare and contrast the ORDBMS and the Object-Oriented Database Management System (OODBMS).

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is There is no one definition of an ORDBMS. The key feature is to support object-oriented features within the confines of a relational system.
Comparison should be based around main differences - ORDBMS will probably use SQL3, giving object-oriented features, object identity, triggers, etc., although changes will be necessary to storage mechanisms (e.g. Quad-tree, K-D-B-tree) with resulting changes in the query optimizer.
OODBMS will probably evolve with ODMG standard, closely linked to programming language.

The On-Going Debate Between Proponents of the Relational Data Model