Configuration Management in an Object-Oriented Database

The task of configuration management for software development environments is not well supported by conventional files, directories, and ad hoc persistence mechanisms. Typed, immutable objects combined with ubiquitous versioning provide a much more sound basis. A prototype configuration management system currently under development relies upon persistent objects provided by a commercial object-oriented database system. Mechanisms and policies developed for this prototype simplify programming with persistent objects; results include simplicity of both design and implementation, as well as flexibility, and extensibility. Initial measurements suggest that performance is acceptable.