Re: Can we solve this -- NFNF and non-1NF at Loggerheads
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2005 10:49:09 -0500
Message-ID: <36pgvnF55f4e0U1_at_individual.net>
"Paul" <paul_at_test.com> wrote in message
news:42076e88$0$42537$ed2619ec_at_ptn-nntp-reader03.plus.net...
> Roy Hann wrote:
> > 1NF does not "mean values are simple or indivisible". It just says that
for
> > the purpose of the relational theory, the divisibility (or internal
> > structure) of values of a given type is of no interest or use within the
> > theory. The theory does not make use nor reference to the internal
> > structure of a value of any type. The theory therefore does not need to
> > define what atomic means. The term "atomic" is a just a narrative
> > short-hand that Codd used to say, "That's stuff I don't care about, so
> > forget about it from now on as you read this paper." I can't think of
any
> > other theory where a precise definition is demanded for things that are
> > *intended* not to be discussed. Plane geometry isn't required to define
> > colour for the purpose of excluding it from discussion.
> >
> > There is nothing in RT that *prevents* values from being divisible,
there
> > never was, and it would plainly be stupid to want it that way.
>
> This sounds to me like an excellent summary of what "1NF" and "atomic"
> means. I can't believe we go round in circles discussing this point when
> it really is this simple!
>
> Paul.
Okay, I will cite a well respected source supporting my position, then you
do the same. From "Fundamentals of Database Systems, Third Edition",
Elmasri/Navathe, pages 485-487 Addison-Wesley, 2000:
"First normal form (1NF) is now considered to be part of the formal
definition of a relation in the basic (flat) relational model (Footnote 11:
This condition is removed in the nested relational model and in
object-relational systems (ORDBMSs), both of which allow unnormalized
relations.); historically, it was defined to disallow multivalued
attributes, composite attributes, and their combinations. It states that the
Your _opinion_ is not solicited. Cite some facts from a published source. Received on Mon Feb 07 2005 - 16:49:09 CET