Towards Object-Oriented Context Modeling: Object-Oriented Relational Database Data Storage

The literature identifies ontology-based context modeling (OBCM) as the optimal approach to context modeling. Context modeling (CM) requires the storage of contextual information in persistent and in-memory formats with the capability to implement dynamic accessing and updating of the literal values. As discussed in this paper many benefits are realized by the use of ontologies however there are also issues. A context is made up of context properties and their literal values, these can be viewed in terms of objects which combine to create a context which defines and describes an entity´s current prevailing state. Therefore, the overall context can be viewed as an object. This paper considers the use of object relational database management systems (ORDBMS) to model context and identifies the benefits and negative aspects of such an approach. The paper concludes that the use of ORDBMS to implement CM offers benefits over OBCM however there are significant open research questions that require resolution.