Re: Conceptual, Logical, and Physical views of data

BobTheDataBaseBoy <"xxx at rcn dot com"> wrote:

> David Cressey wrote:

>> My introduction to databases, back in the 1980s, was, in part, by way of
>> Martin.  I got this description of  multiple views of data: the
>> conceptual, logical, and physical views.
>> 
>> The conceptual view of data:  the data as seen by the subject matter
>> expert. The meaning of each of the values, in context, is part of the
>> subject matter
>> expert's domain.  Database structure is not the domain of the SME, in
>> that role.
>>

A long time ago I realized that computer work is 10% technical and 90% people. You are always selling. If you can't sell the correct solution, you cannot blame the user for the design. If the user wants the spreadsheet view, show him a report, bu then when discussing the normalized tables, stress that that you are working out the details of a sub-section of the problem. This approach works for some users, other approaches work for other users, that's why its a people game and not a tech game. Every user wants to be led by somebody who can actually do the leading. If you cannot lead them, they will lead you.

<snip>

>
> i believe it can be proved (not that i can personally) that there exists
> a NF from which any non-normalized view can be reconstructed. just to
> satisfy those SMEs who can't figure out their own data.
>

Is there anything they know that is worthwhile in your world?

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