Re: Does Codd's view of a relational database differ from that of Date & Darwin? [M.Gittens]
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 12:34:03 GMT
Message-ID: <%eVre.5615$pa3.3561_at_newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net>
"Jan Hidders" <jan.hidders_at_REMOVETHIS.pandora.be> wrote in message
news:lSire.119795$KF7.6591578_at_phobos.telenet-ops.be...
> David Cressey wrote:
> > "Jan Hidders" <jan.hidders_at_REMOVETHIS.pandora.be> wrote in message
> > news:jDyqe.116442$646.6800443_at_phobos.telenet-ops.be...
> >> The relational model is more a *prescriptive* theory than a
> >> *descriptive* theory. In such a context these words are not that
> >> far apart. Moreover, as a mathematical statement it would simply be
> >> wrong to say that nested relations are impossible.
> >
> > This makes a lot of sense to me. But then, I consider most of
> > "computer science" to be more aptly called "computer engineering".
>
> I couldn't agree more. Although I would immediately add that this
> doesn't mean that it is therefore in any way less valuable or less
> interesting, just that the types of claims that are made and the
> certainty with which they are made, are different.
Agreed. I intended the use of "science" and "engineering" to be descriptive, not proscriptive. ;) Received on Wed Jun 15 2005 - 14:34:03 CEST