Apache Empire-db is a relational database abstraction layer that allows developers to take a much more SQL-centric approach in application development than traditional Object/Relational mapping frameworks (ORM). With its unique object orientated command API it allows the creation of SQL-statements of any complexity that take full advantage of all DBMS features which leads to highly efficient database operations and code. Additionally by eliminating the use of error-prone string operations it also offers an unprecedented level of ease-of-use and compile-time-safety.