METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTENDING A RELATIONAL DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USING A FEDERATED COORDINATOR

A method and apparatus for providing access to object data stored in an object server in response to a database query. The method comprises the steps of receiving a database query comprising a relational operation with a data surrogate identifying object data stored in an object server, transforming the database query into relational database commands, transmitting the relational database commands to the relational database management system, receiving a response table from the relational database management system, compiling an answer set from the response table comprising an object locator responsive to the database query, and transmitting the answer set to the client.