Relational Database Conversion: Issues and Approaches - High-Performance Web Databases: Design, Development, and Deployment - page 555

Chapter 38

Relational Database
Conversion: Issues
and Approaches

Chang-Yang Lin

R

ELATIONAL DATABASE TECHNOLOGY OFFERS MANY ADVANTAGES OVER

, .

TRADITIONAL Rela-

tional databases incorporate a higher level of abstraction and therefore
use logical data models that are easier to create, understand, and maintain.
Relational databases allow easier, more flexible retrieval of information.
Relational technology also isolates databases from the underlying systems
that support database access. Therefore, relational database programs can
be easier to write and maintain.

NONRELATIONAL FORMS OF DATABASE TECHNOLOGY

Although a growing number of organizations have already converted to
relational technology, other organizations continue to use nonrelational
database technology. Costs for converting to relational databases can be
high, and organizations may not be able to afford abandoning their invest-
ments in existing databases. In addition, relational DBMSs may not access
data as efficiently as nonrelational DBMSs.

Before converting to relational database technology, an organization
must sort through the pros and cons. This chapter examines the reasons
for and against converting to relational technology. It also examines the fol-
lowing issues involved in the conversion process:

• Relational and nonrelational database programming.
• Converting data and programs.
• The role of CASE and expert system in the conversion process.
• Strategies for making the conversion.

PROS AND CONS IN CONVERTING TO RELATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Relational technology is receiving increased attention because it has
the potential to improve application productivity and information quality.