Abstract
We formally investigate the structural similarities and differences existing between object database models and concept languages establishing a correspondence between the two environments. Object database models deal with two kinds of data: individual objects, which have an identity, and values, which can be basic values or can have complex structures containing both basic values and objects. Concept languages only deal with individual objects. The correspondence points out the different role played by objects and values in both approaches and defines a way of properly mapping database descriptions into concept language descriptions at both a terminological and assertional level. Once the mapping is achieved, object databases can take advantage of both the algorithms and the results concerning their complexity developed in concept languages.