1. An apparatus for managing data objects, the apparatus comprising: a memory configured to store a meta table and a content table, the meta table including metadata records, wherein the content table specifies an instance of each of the data objects, each of the instances being linked to a metadata record stored in the meta table and including a parameter associated with the metadata record, wherein the content table further specifies relationships between the instances, wherein the meta table specifies definitions for subsets of the data objects and hierarchical relationships between the subsets of the data objects.