What does "Object-Relational Mapping (ORM)" mean in programming?
Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
A technique that maps between objects in your code and rows in a relational database, so you can query and manipulate data using your programming language instead of raw SQL. Popular ORMs include SQLAlchemy (Python), Prisma (TypeScript), and Hibernate (Java).
Example
"The ORM generated the SQL query automatically, so we didn't have to write a JOIN by hand."
Related terms
Ready to practice your English at work?
Lingua-e has interactive exercises built around real developer conversations: standups, code reviews, retrospectives, and more. Practice until it comes naturally.
Try Lingua-e for free