Hear, hear!
pb
--- Michael Milligan <Michael.Milligan_at_ingenix.com> wrote:
> As Date is want to say, "Theory is practical!" (Chapter One,
> Relational
> Database Writings 1991-1994).
>
> IMHO, a lack of understanding of relational database theory leads
> directly
> to database designs so flawed that they can't possibly allow their
> application to accomplish their goals. If you don't think in terms of
> functional dependencies, if you don't know the trade-offs in using
> nulls, if
> you don't why you want to put some attributes in one entity and
> others in
> others, you'll be in trouble. Some people call all of this "theory".
> I see
> it as the "fundamental principles" that you'll be dead in the water
> without.
>
>
> If you don't know what the "relational" in RDBMS means (nothing to do
> with
> foreign keys), you'll make a bunch of mistakes over and over, knowing
> something is wrong but not able to put your finger on what's wrong.
> Then
> you'll limp along with an unfixable application, held together with
> prayers,
> and not able to deliver performance or even the right data.
>
> I've been doing this for 17 years and I've seen it happen more times
> than I
> like to remember. My suggestion, my strong suggestion, is to learn
> the
> theory to such an extent that you'll know why a model is good or why
> it's
> flawed. If you don't know what a good model is, how can you possibly
> create
> one?
>
> Data modeling is hard work. There is no shortcut for it. There is
> also no
> shortcut for learning it. But you can learn from people who
> understand it
> well and can express it well, also. In my opinion, those names
> include C.J.
> Date, Hugh Darwen, Fabian Pascal, and a number of others.
>
> HTH
>
> Michael Milligan
> Oracle DBA
> Ingenix, Inc.
> 2525 Lake Park Blvd.
> Salt Lake City, Utah 84120
> wrk 801-982-3081
> mbl 801-628-6058
> michael.milligan_at_ingenix.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 2:35 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
>
>
> Agreed. And I think you'll admit it's better to be familiar with and
> aware
> of the theory, even if current db products don't live up to the model
> 100%,
> so you know to bring up the kinds of issues you mention in the first
> place.
> In that sense, I think the knowledge to be gained from Date, Darwen,
> Pascal,
> etc., can be very practical.
>
>
> This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or
> proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity
> to
> which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the
> intended
> recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby
> notified that
> any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is
> prohibited. If
> you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by
> replying
> to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.
> --
> Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
> --
> Author: Michael Milligan
> INET: Michael.Milligan_at_ingenix.com
>
> Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com
> San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message
> to: ListGuru_at_fatcity.com (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in
> the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L
> (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may
> also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).
Do you Yahoo!?
Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now
http://companion.yahoo.com/
--
Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
--
Author: Paul Baumgartel
INET: treegarden_at_yahoo.com
Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com
San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message
to: ListGuru_at_fatcity.com (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in
the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L
(or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may
also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).
Received on Thu Nov 20 2003 - 12:30:20 CST
