Towards a metrics suite for object-relational mappings

Object-relational (O/R) middleware is frequently used in practice to bridge the semantic gap (the ‘impedance mismatch’) between object-oriented application systems and relational database management systems (RDBMSs). If O/R middleware is employed, the object model needs to be linked to the relational schema. Following the socalled forward engineering approach, the developer is faced with the challenge of choosing from a variety of mapping strategies for class associations and inheritance relationships. These mapping strategies have different impacts on the characteristics of application systems, such as their performance or maintainability. Quantifying these mapping impacts via metrics is considered beneficial in the context of O/R mapping tools since such metrics enable an automated and differentiated consideration of O/R mapping strategies. In this paper, the foundation of a metrics suite for object-relational mappings and an initial set of metrics are presented.