ORM

Object-Relational Mapping

ORM is a programming technique that lets you interact with a database using your preferred programming language instead of writing queries directly. It’s like having a translator who converts your native language (e.g., Python or JavaScript) into a database language (SQL) and back again.

ORMs make database operations more developer-friendly by:

• Writing database queries using familiar programming concepts
• Reducing boilerplate code and repetitive SQL statements
• Providing built-in security features against SQL injection
• Making it easier to switch between different databases

ORM Example

Here’s how you might work with a database with and without an ORM:

Without ORM (Raw SQL)

SELECT * FROM users 
WHERE age > 21 
AND city = 'New York';

With ORM (Python using SQLAlchemy)

User.query.filter(
    User.age > 21,
    User.city == 'New York'
).all()

Popular ORMs include SQLAlchemy (Python), Hibernate (Java), and Sequelize (JavaScript). They’re widely used in web frameworks like Django, Ruby on Rails, and Laravel to simplify database operations and make code more maintainable.

Additional Acronyms for ORM

• ORM - Online Reputation Management