The authors have collected 18 papers that describe first-hand experiences with state-of-the-practice object-oriented database systems (OODBSs). The papers, each of which occupies a separate chapter, are divided into four groupings.

Chapters 1 through 4 describe strategies for integrating an OODBS into an effective application system architecture. Issues of heterogeneous database systems and three-tier client/server architectures are discussed.

Chapters 5 through 11, on applications and design, describe an interesting array of OODBS applications. System designs are presented for biomedical systems, flight simulators, software configuration management, particle physics, and astronomy. The data requirements of some of the applications range up to multi-terabyte and multi-petabyte  storage. 

Chapters 12 through 15, on object database selection and migration, demonstrate methods used by organizations to select an OODBS and to migrate current applications to the new database system. Issues addressed include the selection of relational or object-oriented databases, the role of standards in OODBS selection, and vendor support for database selection and migration.

Chapters 16 through 18 cover issues of OODBS performance. Using system examples, the authors demonstrate techniques for gathering performance metrics and for tuning system performance to meet user requirements.

Five commercial OODBSs are covered in the chapter case studies: O2, GemStone, Objectivity/DB, ObjectStore, and VERSANT. Overall, the chapters are well written, concise, and practical. The technical detail is not overwhelming and can be understood by anyone who has a basic understanding of object-oriented system development and object-oriented databases. This book delivers exactly what it promises. It would be an excellent resource for database managers and developers who want to survey the current state of the practice in OODBS applications.