Still increasing requirements are made on database systems, because users need to work with still more complex data. Because of the historical development of database systems, post-relational database systems are mainly used today. As follows from their name, post-relational database systems are built on relational database systems and expand them so that they are able to work with complex data. The vast majority of today's spatial database systems is based on post-relational databases. However, this work is trying to find a connection between object and spatial databases. The obtained knowledge is reflected in the implementation of the object database spatial extension.

A novel approach for a robust computation of positional relations of two-dimensional geometric features is presented which guarantees reliable results, provided that the initial data is valid. The method is based on the use of integer coordinates and a method to generate a complete, gap-less and non-overlapping spatial decomposition. The spatial relationships of two geometric features are then represented using DE-9IM matrices. These allow the spatial relationships to be represented compactly. The DE-9IM matrices are based on the spatial decomposition using explicit neighborhood relations. No further geometric calculations are required for their computation. Based on comparative tests, it could be proven that this approach, up to a predictable limit, provides correct results and thus offers advantages over classical methods for the calculation of spatial relationships. This novel method can be used in all fields, especially where guaranteed reliable results are required.:Introduction Related Research Materials and Methods Results Discussion Outlook Author Contributions Funding Institutional Review Board Statement Informed Consent Statement Data Availability Statement Conflicts of Interest Abbreviations References