Re: RI - pros and cons

Ed Stevens wrote:
>
> On Thu, 21 Mar 2002 08:59:22 -0500, Peter Sylvester <peters_at_mitre.org> wrote:
>
> >If the application is implemented correctly, it should not be apparent
> >whether RI exists in the DB or not. Putting it in the DB will keep the
> >application honest. From what I have seen, without RI in the database,
> >you can kiss integrity good-bye.
> >
> >-Peter
> >
> >Ed Stevens wrote:
> >>
> >> I feel stupid even posting this question but there's trouble brewing in River
> >> City. I'm getting caught between my "partner" DBA (with whom I have many
> >> philosophical differences) and the developers.
> >>
> >> New application being developed. Four rather simple tables - header data,
> >> detail data, and a couple of reference/look-up tables. Developers want RI and I
> >> agree. DBA says "RI is more trouble than its' worth. You should take care of
> >> it in your application." I'm caught in the middle, stongly disagreeing (that's
> >> putting it diplomaticly) with the other DBA but having to maintain a working
> >> relationship. He makes the claim "all the other DBA's I read on MetaLink say RI
> >> is too much trouble" but won't produce evidence.
> >>
> >> Anyone want to comment on the technical merits of RI vs. not. I've always felt
> >> that the benefits of RI (and normalized tables) was so obvious as to not even
> >> require any further justification. Do I need to be re-educated, or . . . .
>
> Which is exactly my postion. But the other DBA keeps claiming that RI is "more
> trouble than it is worth" and that his position is backed up by "many other
> DBA's" He won't give any specifics about the downside to RI, so I thought I'd
> ask here if anyone knows of any downsides. I think he's just blowing smoke, but
> I wanted to make sure I'd done MY research to eliminate the chance that I might
> be overlooking something myself.
> --
> Ed Stevens
> (Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of my employer.)

It will be hard to argue with your partner on DBA grounds...

... because he/she is not a DBA - they're an idiot :-)

Cheers
Connor

-- 
==============================
Connor McDonald

http://www.oracledba.co.uk

"Some days you're the pigeon, some days you're the statue..."