Object Data Blocks is an object-persistence style ORM (Object Relational Manager), also known as a reverse-mapping ORM.

Classes are defined and decorated with attributes in a .net assembly and combined with a relational database provider (currently Sql Server 2005 or later) to form a data abstraction layer for your application that is strongly typed, fully object-orientated and stays automatically in sync with the underlying database. Unlike other ORMs such as NHibernate or Entity Framework, no mapping files are required. No additional database schema tables are created, and all tables and stored procedures created follow a logical, readable relational design.

Object Data Blocks supports an agile development process, supporting constant refactoring of the data abstration layer. Both table and query objects can be refactored, reused and subclassed to enable higher productivity and a more natural development style when in creating data driven applications. Changes can be deployed to a database via the deployment tool or through .net code - without any data loss. Some knowledge of relational databases is an advantage but not essential.

For corporate environments, comparisons can be run between assemblies and underlying database schemas to provide deployment scripts in SQL to meet any Database Administrator's requirements.

Object Data Blocks 2.0 requires .Net Framework 2.0 or later. Object Data Blocks 2.5 and 3.0 will require .Net Framework 3.5 or later. Object Data Blocks is recommended for new projects, or where a data import process is an option.