Re: Demo: Things in Hierarchies (w/o RM/SQL)

From: Nick Landsberg <SPAMhukolauTRAP_at_SPAMworldnetTRAP.att.net>
Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2004 23:24:06 GMT
Message-ID: <q2djd.853620$Gx4.484304@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>

Neo wrote:

>>I wonder, would it help to stem the tide if the more experienced 
>>practitioners here would just posit a real-world problem to be solved 
>>(rather than cats and dogs, parent-child, etc.)  Given an interesting 
>>enough problem, that may take quite a while to address, if it can be 
>>addressed at all with Neo's stuff. OLTP with 1000 TPS requirement?
>>DataWarehousing with lots of summary reports, each different... 
>>maybe 80 per day,

>
>
> A limited methodology (ie RM) will be more efficient than a more
> general methodology (ie Thing Model, the foundation for XDb1 & 2) when
> both are applied to an application within the limited methodology's
> scope. For years, RMers have propogated the falsity that RM is the
> most general/generic methodology. I am here to prove them wrong with
> examples outside RM's ideal scope.
>
> RM is analogous to a set of fixed size wrenches.
> TM is analogous to an adjustable wrench.
> Each has it's advantages and disadvantages.
>
> In my estimation, TM is geared towards AI-type applications. Are you
> game?

Absolutely *NOT*, since I know next to nothing about AI-type problems and I'm wise enough not to venture into any field in which I know next to nothing!

I also no longer operate in the database world day-to-day, but have since moved on to other things, addressing other kinds of real-world problems for my clients. Some of these assignments address database problems, some address other problems (performance, reliability, maintainability, etc.), but I get paid for solving problems which either are costing my client too many dollars, or aren't saving my client enough dollars. Thus, I do not want to comment on the theoretical nature of your work, but only on the practical application of it.

You are correct in saying that fixed size wrenches and adjustable wrenches each have their advantages and disadvantages. The average homeowner, who only does maintenance on weekends in his/her spare time, cannot afford to invest in a complete mechanic's tool set with dozens of fixed-size wrenches, and will thus opt for a a few adjustable wrenches. The expert mechanic, (working on Kenworth, Peterbilt and GMC trucks for a living) cannot afford *not* to invest in a complete mechanic's tool kit. So, are you saying that TM is for the tinkerer and dilletante rather than the expert?

NPL

-- 
"It is impossible to make anything foolproof
because fools are so ingenious"
  - A. Bloch

Received on Sat Nov 06 2004 - 17:24:06 CST