Introduction
With mobile and edge computing’s growth in the market, data management continues to play an increasingly critical role. By extension, embedded data management systems are being looked to by developers and their clients as a means to streamline the management process. Embedded databases have a long history, but the newest developments in tech point again and again to their versatility and functionality.
This paper focuses on the embeddable Raima Database Manager 14.0 and the ways in which it brings efficiency to database management and business processes
Embedded database definition
An embedded database is placed within an application and is masked from the end user. Technopedia explains as follows: “An embedded database is a database technology in which database management solutions are built into an application rather than provided as standalone tools. In many cases, this effectively “hides” the database management tools from the end user.”
Primary users of embedded database management systems (DBMSs) are ISVs (independent software vendors), OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and VARs (value-added resellers). The products that include DBMSs include software, hardware, appliances or devices (including vehicles and buildings) that are deployed in an Internet of Things (IOT) things world. With its constant exchange of data between physical devices, the IoT helps drives the increasing market demand for applications that can process and manage data in real time.
Embedded database background
Embedded databases emerged to serve specialized markets that were not served by traditional relational database management systems (RDBMS), such as those from Microsoft and Oracle. These RDBMS process transactions that are straightforward, but present issues related to scalability, such as speed, footprint and the like; the issues emerge most often around complex transactions for specialized data. These include video files, web pages and real-time environments where the database runs business-critical hardware and systems, such as military applications and equipment.
In response to RDBMS shortcomings, database products were developed to work in environments with constrained memory and system resources. These embedded databases were designed to cater to specialized users, though technological developments have expanded the market considerably.
Deeply embedded databases
Deeply embedded databases are developed and deployed with the application or device itself and are not intended to be changed or manipulated once deployed. They run in-process within the application. In this type of application, the database is invisible to the end user, and it requires little or no ongoing maintenance. Its simplicity is one of its most appealing aspects.
Customer functionality
Behind any technical details, though, the most important fact remains — an embedded database gives customers the support and functionality they need to compete and excel. They receive better functionality because an embedded database is easier to manage (if it needs any management at all), it is already configured, and it can be used upon installation, with no need to set up and test a separate database.
Benefits of Raima in-memory embedded database
Raima Database Manager (RDM) 14.0 sets a new benchmark for embedded databases. Designed to address today’s technology demands, it provides the highest-functioning database solutions for resource-constrained environments. RDM 14.0 includes these major features: updated in-memory support, dirty reads, R-Tree support, compression, encryption, SQL, SQL PL, and platform independence – we like to describe it as: “develop once, deploy anywhere.”
The innovations within RDM 14.0 address the increasing need for the most responsive, small-footprint applications that keep network resources stable. With RDM 14.0, which is quickly and easily configurable, Raima has introduced new efficiency to the database management process itself, while also adding portability and flexibility. These features translate to precisely what any business owner desires — increased revenue, reduced cost and mitigated risk.
Simple administration
Because RDM 14.0 is automated to manage the database storage, it does not require administration to increase the size of the database or its underlying objects. Essentially all of the critical functions are self-managed, so customers do not require a dedicated DBA. It’s an ideal solution for users who don’t have high-level technical skills, because so little administration and maintenance is required.
Complete functionality, increased efficiency
RDM 14.0 was designed with developers in mind; it was designed to be easy to use.
• For C developers, the underlying core API of the RDM database is a modern and easy-to-use cursor interface.
• For pure SQL developers, an extensive SQL supports both SQL PL and stored procedures.
• RDM 14.0 also supports the standard interfaces of ODBC (C, C++), ADO.NET (C#), and JDBC (Java), along with the development environments of Microsoft Visual Studio, Apple XCode, Eclipse, Wind River Workbench, QXN Momentics, etc.
• Developers are never locked out of using the language or interface with which they are most familiar. Raima offers dedicated support for any language developers prefer.
Portability across platforms
RDM 14.0 presents a redesigned file format, again keeping developer ease in mind.
• RDM 14.0 allows direct copy/paste or movement from one device or platform onto another regardless of byte order or architecture differences.
• Developers can work on their preferred development host and then deploy the database anywhere.
• Facilitates debugging on a more powerful development platform. If a target platform goes down, RDM 14.0 allows the database to be copied directly onto any other target hardware and pick up right where it left off.
Decreased time to market
RDM 14.0’s architecture delivers the highest performance while simultaneously safeguarding data and maintaining full ACID compliance.
• For in-memory databases, RDM 14.0 uses a completely unique internal format to take full advantage of the direct memory characteristics of random access, zero latency, etc.
• If the database is on disk, RDM 14.0 instead uses another uniquely designed and optimized format to take into consideration the latency involved with disk usage.
• The new architecture also hides hardware platform specifics such as byte ordering in the new file format design, freeing the developer to focus on other details.
• To create such increased performance, RDM 14.0 uses a “packed” row format in the database engine. These packs contain byte streams that are both compact and portable across different OS and processor platforms. So, application developers can develop on one platform and deploy on another. This feature alone decreases time to market for enterprise applications.
Small footprint, outstanding speed
Despite its small footprint, RDM 14.0 is Raima’s fastest database engine. Every package includes performance examples that show how much faster RDM benchmarks against competitors, for easy comparison and evaluation.
• RDM 14.0 performs better than any competitor within a multitude of systems and environments.
• In the industry standard TPC-B test, our disk-based performance is able to process over 2,000+ more transactions than our closest competitors.
• In the in-memory design, RDM 14.0 performs at more than double the performance with multiple users.
Scalable and responsive
RDM is an ideal solution for edge computing.
• Its high availability functionality (HA) permits mirroring/replicating edge information to the cloud, either to a different Raima database solution or to other cloud-based databases such as Oracle, DB2 and PostgreSQL.
• Many competitors can replicate only to other instances of their own database; Raima holds the competitive edge.
• Scalable and responsive, RDM 14.0 permits data and applications to be placed near the source; it’s an IoT solution that addresses edge-of-the cloud needs.
A database solution for today
RDM 14.0 was designed for today’s data needs, whether mobile, edge, or IoT:
• Applications that require support for big data and business intelligence at high speeds
• Remote data with low power availability
• Local storage issues where in-memory solutions or cross platform mobile requirements are needed.
It’s a solution that moves business forward, easily and effectively.
Raima database solutions are used in a wide range of applications for business-critical data transactions, flight control systems, military equipment, data backup solutions, medical equipment, routers and switches and more. Boeing, General Dynamics, General Electric (Alstom), Mitsubishi, Schneider Electric and Siemens are examples of customers who embed RDM products in their applications.
How good is RDM 14? Try it for yourself. Visit https://raima.com/download-table/ and download a free demo. You’ll experience the high performance standards that Raima has held for years, along with the speed you require. As so many users already know: “If it’s fast, it’s Raima.”
