Typed Relationships between Items

A method implemented at least in part by a computer, the method comprising:

• instantiating an item reference, the item reference including a first field, a second field, and a third field, the first field capable of storing an identifier of a first item stored in a data store, the second field capable of storing an identifier of a second item stored in the data store, the third field capable of storing data including properties associated with the item reference, items in the data store being of a plurality of types, each object being of at least one type, the item reference indicating a relationship between the first item and the second item;
• and
• placing the identifier of the first item in the first field of the item reference.

In a computing environment, an apparatus, comprising:

• a reference instantiator operable to instantiate an item reference, the item reference including a first field, a second field, and a third field, the first field capable of storing an identifier of a first item stored in a data store, the second field capable of storing an identifier of a second item stored in the data store, the third field capable of storing data including properties associated with the item reference, items in the data store being of a plurality of types, each object being of at least one type, the item reference indicating a relationship between the first item and the second item;
• and
• a reference maintainer operable to delete item references.