DBMS defines a general relational database access API, and allows different database implementations to be provided. Two implementations are provided: a small and relatively lightweight client-side implementation; and, for when multiple clients must have write access to a database, a client-server implementation.
The File Stores API defines a sophisticated file storage, called permanent file stores, that allows individual entries in a file to be modified. The database implementations use these stores for the underlying data storage.
Functionality is provided by a number of APIs. Use them as follows:
Interface to DBMS databases overview
Defines interfaces for opening databases, defining database schemas, and performing transactions.
Allows data contained in a database to be retrieved, searched, and modified.
DBMS columns, column sets, and keys overview
Defines column, column set, and index key structures.
DBMS sharing databases overview
Provides access to a server that allows databases to be accessed by multiple clients.
DBMS incremental operations overview
Allows long-running database operations to be performed in steps, so that a user program can remain responsive to other events.