Re: Modelling Considered Harmful

From: Kenneth Downs <knode.wants.this_at_see.sigblock>
Date: Sun, 08 May 2005 14:04:45 -0400
Message-Id: <u112l2-dtp.ln1@pluto.downsfam.net>

Paul wrote:

> mAsterdam wrote:

>>> I agree that what we commonly refer to as "data modelling" is all about
>>> metadata, but I still think data itself is also about modelling.
>> 
>> To the user of the data, yes, a model (if the database is any good).
>> To the DBMS it's meaningless signs to be cleverly kept - no model.

>
> OK I see what you're saying. Kind of like the database is just a
> "representation" of a model, rather than the model itself? Like Magritte
> and his "ceci n'est pas une pipe" again?
>
> But isn't the meta data also to the DBMS just "meaningless signs to be
> cleverly kept" as well?
>
> If you subscribe to the notion of humans being just extremely complex
> computers you could argue that all human knowledge is just meaningless
> signs kept in the brain as well.
>
> Straying into the metaphysical here but can a model or a set of
> propositions have an independent existence? The only way we know they
> exist is if we represent them in some way: as a database, as marks on
> paper, as sound waves in speech.
>
> Paul.

Aristotle said he had bumped his knees on too many end tables to believe that nothing was real.

-- 
Kenneth Downs
Secure Data Software, Inc.
(Ken)nneth@(Sec)ure(Dat)a(.com)

Received on Sun May 08 2005 - 13:04:45 CDT