HiRDB is based on a plug-in architecture, in which abstract data types for multimedia data, such as documents and images, and facilities that enable simple, high-speed operations on data can be used as a packaged product. With a plug-in architecture, facilities can be expanded to build a system that can handle multimedia data simply by registering plug-ins into HiRDB.

Moreover, application programs can handle multimedia data easily and at high speed without the programmer having to be concerned with complex operational details typical of multimedia data, and application programs can thus provide information services to customers efficiently. Table 10-1 lists the HiRDB plug-ins.

Table 10-1 HiRDB plug-ins

Plug-in	Explanation
HiRDB Text Search Plug-in	Provides a function for retrieving a large volume of document information accurately and quickly.
HiRDB Image Search Plug-in	Provides a function for extracting feature quantities from the colors and shapes of images and a function for retrieving similar images by comparing features.
HiRDB File Link	Implements a mode for storing a large volume of large-scale, data, such as image data, at any server (file server) and registers data linkage information in the HiRDB database. This storage mode minimizes the database workload even when the amount of data increases. When the amount of data increases, this plug-in can increase the disk capacity or the number of file servers.
HiRDB Spatial Search Plug-in	Provides a function for retrieving spatial data (two-dimensional data), such as map information.

For details about the HiRDB plug-in products, see the manuals for the applicable HiRDB plug-ins.