diff --git a/manual/en/introduction.txt b/manual/en/introduction.txt index 489c41a47..cb074343a 100644 --- a/manual/en/introduction.txt +++ b/manual/en/introduction.txt @@ -2,11 +2,15 @@ Doctrine 2 is an object-relational mapper (ORM) for PHP 5.3.0+ that provides transparent persistence for PHP objects. It sits on top of a powerful database -abstraction layer (DBAL). One of its key features is the option to write -database queries in a proprietary object oriented SQL dialect called Doctrine -Query Language (DQL), inspired by Hibernates HQL. This provides developers with -a powerful alternative to SQL that maintains flexibility without requiring -unnecessary code duplication. +abstraction layer (DBAL). Object-Relational Mappers primary task is the transparent +translation between (PHP) objects and relational database rows. + +One of Doctrines key features is the option to write database queries in a +proprietary object oriented SQL dialect called Doctrine +Query Language (DQL), inspired by Hibernates HQL. Besides DQLs slight +differences to SQL it abstracts the mapping between database rows and +objects considerably, allowing developers to write powerful queries +in a simple and flexible fashion. ++ Disclaimer @@ -14,6 +18,13 @@ This is the Doctrine 2 reference documentation. Introductory guides and tutorial that you can follow along from start to finish, like the "Guide to Doctrine" book known from the Doctrine 1.x series, will be available at a later date. +++ Using an Object-Relational Mapper + +As the term ORM already hints at, Doctrine 2 aims to simplify the translation +between database rows and the PHP object model. The primary use case for Doctrine +are therefore applications that utilize the Object-Oriented Programming Paradigm. +For applications that not primarily work with objects Doctrine 2 is not suited very well. + ++ Requirements Doctrine 2 requires a minimum of PHP 5.3.0. For greatly improved performance it