The base class of Orbit42.com (now at version 2.01 BETA) is an open-source (free) project released with the hope that others would benefit from a class that contains the basics already. This Object Oriented project (currently in Early BETA) is hosted by sourceforge.net. Such basics include request data by key and table and get an array to start operation on without repetitive actions to investigate the data; iterative functions (allowing each parent in the chain to contribute without the need for complex name-space), debugging and error messaging system and a callback manager to allow easy plug-in structure and loose coupling.
The aim is to create a system that makes good use of the best design patterns an easier thing to create.
It also supports simple abstraction to data-layer which as the project matures will allow a simple engine to interface with the choice of DB or other data store.
