ISO/IEC 13249-1:2016

Overview

ISO/IEC 13249-1:2016 - “Information technology - Database languages - SQL multimedia and application packages - Part 1: Framework” - defines the common concepts, notations and conventions used across the ISO/IEC 13249 family of standards. It specifies how generic data types and common table structures for multimedia and application areas are represented and manipulated in an SQL database, and describes how parts of ISO/IEC 9075 (SQL) are used to define user‑defined types, routines and views.

This framework enables standardized representation of multimedia and application-specific data so it can be stored, queried and exchanged consistently across SQL implementations.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Establishes concepts common to two or more parts of ISO/IEC 13249 (see Clause 1 and Introduction).
• Normative references: Relies on ISO/IEC 9075 parts (notably SQL/Framework, SQL/Foundation and SQL/Schemata) for syntax and semantics.
• Terms and definitions: Clarifies vocabulary (generic data type, common table structure, meta-variable, method) essential for other parts.
• Concepts and notations (Clause 4 & 6): Defines how user‑defined types, SQL‑invoked methods, views, information and definition schemas are specified.
• Use of SQL features: Describes use of user‑defined types, routines, views and information schema as representation mechanisms in SQL databases.
• Implementation requirements (Clause 7): Covers practical implementation aspects such as schema organization and privileges (USAGE, UNDER, EXECUTE, SELECT, and DML rights on views).
• Conformance (Clause 8): Specifies how implementations claim conformance, handle extensions/options, and relate to other international standards.
• Organization of parts: Lists parts that define subject packages (Full‑Text, Spatial, Still image, Data mining, History).

Practical applications

• Standardizes storage and manipulation of multimedia (images, text search, spatial data) and specialized application data in SQL databases.
• Enables interoperable data exchange and shared understanding across enterprises and products.
• Provides a basis for database vendors to implement user‑defined types (UDTs) and methods consistent with SQL standards.
• Helps application architects and data modelers adopt common table structures for cross‑system compatibility.
• Assists implementers in defining conformance claims and mapping SQL features to DBMS privileges and schemas.

Who should use this standard

• Database vendors and implementers of SQL engines
• Data architects and DBAs building multimedia or application‑specific schemas
• Software developers using SQL UDTs, routines and views
• Standards bodies and integrators working on data interoperability and exchange

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 9075 (SQL family): Parts 1, 2 and 11 are normatively referenced.
• Other parts of ISO/IEC 13249: Part 2 (Full‑Text), Part 3 (Spatial), Part 5 (Still image), Part 6 (Data mining), Part 7 (History).

Keywords: ISO/IEC 13249-1, SQL multimedia and application packages, generic data types, common table structures, user‑defined types, SQL/9075, SQL database, conformance, implementation requirements.