Embedded database

An embedded database system is a database management system (DBMS) that is tightly integrated with application software, and is embedded within the application rather than provided as a standalone system. 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

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