some
cross-fertilization like "object-relational" and "embedded network".
Understanding the buzzwords is important. Each has some grounding in
theory, but has also evolved into a practical label for categorizing
systems that work in a certain way.</p>
      <p>All database systems, regardless of the buzzwords that apply to them,
provide a few common services.  All of them store data, for example.
We'll begin by exploring the common services that all systems provide,
and then examine the differences among th