data. The software is distributed in source code form, and developers can
compile and link the source code into a single library for inclusion
directly in their applications.
Developers may choose to store data in any of several different storage
structures to satisfy the requirements of a particular application. In
database terminology, these storage structures and the code that operates on
them are called access methods. The library includes support for the
following access methods:
* B+tree: Stores keys in sorted order, using either a programmer-supplied
ordering function or a default function that does lexicographical
ordering of keys. Applications may perform equality or range searches.
* Hashing: Stores records in a hash table for fast searches based on
strict equality. Extended Linear Hashing modifies the hash function
used by the table as new records are inserted, in order to keep buckets
underfull in the steady state.
* Fixed and Variable-Length Records: Stores fixed- or variable-length
records in sequential order. Record numbers may be immutable or
mutable, i.e., permitting new records to be inserted between existing
records or requiring that new records be added only at the end of the
database.
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