Re: Extending my question. Was: The relational model and relational algebra - why did SQL become the industry standard?

Mikito Harakiri wrote:
> Please, write down a query that transforms
>
> Num
> ---
> 2
> 5
>
> into
>
> Seq# Num
> ---- ---
> 1 2
> 2 2
> 1 5
> 2 5
> 3 5
> 4 5
> 5 5
>
> in pure relational syntax. Now, the same, please, without
> explode/recursion operator.

Assuming the existance of a table (real or virtual) that contains the integer values (at least from 1 through 5), then it is possible and fairly simple. The hypothetical table is: INTEGERS, and contains a single column, N, of type INTEGER. The basic table Mikito postulated can be COUNTS, containing a single column, C, of type INTEGER.

In SQL:

SELECT I.N AS "Seq#", C.C AS "Num"

     FROM INTEGERS AS I, COUNTS AS C
     WHERE I.N BETWEEN 1 AND C.C
     ORDER BY "Num", "Seq#";

Hugh Darwen (writing as Andrew Warden) wrote about the "Act of Chivalry" for a TRDBMS to provide a table like INTEGERS in Chapter 21 "A Constant Friend" of 'Relational Database Writings: 1985-1989' by C J Date.

-- 
Jonathan Leffler                   #include <disclaimer.h>
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