1. In a computer system, a method of storing objects in a relational database, comprising the steps of: defining a new class of objects, wherein objects of the new class have at least one data member; generating a hierarchical tree based on said defining the new class of objects, wherein the hierarchical tree represents a definition of the data members of the objects of the new class and includes information for mapping the data members of the objects of the new class to a relational database schema and information about inheritance between classes; instantiating a container object to store the data members of the objects of the new class; transiently storing the data members of the objects of the new class in the container object; receiving input of a plurality of characteristics of each data member of the objects of the new class, wherein a first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics indicates whether the data member is an optional data member; storing a hierarchy of classes in the hierarchical tree wherein the hierarchy of classes includes the new class, wherein the container object is created utilizing the hierarchical tree, and wherein the hierarchical tree comprises a definition of the data member and includes information for mapping the data member to a column of the relational database table; storing a default value in the hierarchical tree for data members of the objects of the new class where the first characteristic indicates an optional data member; and creating a new relational database table configured to store the data members of the objects of the new class based on the hierarchical tree and the container object.