Embedded database

An embedded database system is a database management system (DBMS) which is tightly integrated with an application software; it is embedded in the application (instead of coming as a standalone application). It is a broad technology category that includes:

• database systems with differing application programming interfaces (SQL as well as proprietary, native APIs)
• database architectures (client-server and in-process)
• storage modes (on-disk, in-memory, and combined)
• database models (relational, object-oriented, entity–attribute–value model, network/CODASYL)
• target markets

Note: The term “embedded” can sometimes be used to refer to the use on embedded devices (as opposed to the definition given above). However, only a tiny subset of embedded database products are used in real-time embedded systems such as telecommunications switches and consumer electronics. (See mobile database for small-footprint databases that could be used on embedded devices.)