property node

A property node organizes the access to any type of property. By means of property nodes atomic values can be accessed as well as structured instances and collections. Since extents are specific database object properties, property nodes can be used for accessing extent collections as well. Thus, the property node is a universal access mechanism for an ODABA database. Property nodes supports access functions, iterator functions, data conversion functions, metadata functions and many other features depending on the type of referenced property. Any structure member of a persistent instance can be accessed via property node.

Property nodes are managed by property handles, which provide an interface between the database access system and the application program.