Indexed Database API
The Indexed Database API, or IndexedDB (formerly WebSimpleDB), is a W3C recommended[1] web browser standard interface for a transactional local database of JSON objects collections with indices. W3C issued its final recommendation for the IndexedDB interface on January 8, 2015.[2]
Browser support
Preliminary support for IndexedDB is included by Firefox (since version 4[3]), Google Chrome (since version 11[4]), and by Internet Explorer 10 Consumer Preview and Metro style apps.[5] Apple announced support in Safari 8 for both iOS 8 and OS X at their WWDC 2014 Keynote on June 2, 2014.[6]
Safari, Chrome 4, and Opera support[7] an alternative mechanism for client-side database storage called Web SQL Database.[8] On November 18, 2010, the W3C announced that the Web SQL database specification has reached an impasse and is no longer being actively worked on.[9] Firefox developers have publicly stated that the lack of WebSQL Database support in Firefox is on purpose, as they believe it is a problematic standard which requires an alternative (hence IndexedDB).[10]
Use cases
IndexedDB can be used for browser implemented functions, such as bookmarks, as well as web applications, such as email. An open-source reference implementation of the Indexed Database API exists for testing and experimentation purposes.[11] It has been used in eLibri a Library and eBook reader application.
Features
IndexedDB is a transactional database embedded in the browser. The database is organised around the concept of collections of JSON objects similarly to NoSQL databases MongoDB or CouchDB. Each object is identified with a key generated during insert. An indexation system allows to optimize access to objects.[12]
See also
- HTML5
- Web SQL Database (competing, deprecated standard)
- Web storage (simpler standard for smaller amounts of data without indices)
References
- ↑ "Indexed Database API". W3.org. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ "IndexedDB API". W3.org. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
- ↑ "IndexedDB - MDC Doc Center". Developer.mozilla.org. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ "Web Platform Status". The Chromium Projects. 2012-05-21. Retrieved 2012-05-24.
- ↑ IndexedDB, MSDN, 2012-03-14, retrieved 2012-05-24
- ↑ "Apple - OS X Yosemite - Apps". Apple. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ↑ Shankland, Stephen (2010-03-12). "Consensus emerges for key Web app standard | Deep Tech - CNET News". News.cnet.com. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ "Web SQL Database". Dev.w3.org. 2010-11-18. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ "W3C Working Group Note 18 November 2010". W3.org.
- ↑ "Well, I'm Back: Not Implementing Features Is Hard". Weblogs.mozillazine.org. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ "indexeddb - Project Hosting on Google Code". Code.google.com. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ Nelson, Anne Fulcher, and Nelson, William Harris Morehead. (2001). Building Electronic Commerce with Web Database Constructions. Boston, MA: Addison Wesley.