Re: So what's null then if it's not nothing?
From: Alexandr Savinov <spam_at_conceptoriented.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:17:53 +0100
Message-ID: <437df0b2$1_at_news.fhg.de>
>
>
> No, if not, we get another value.
>
>
> You keep harping about flexibility. Why do you not use a system
> that does not force you to fill in unnecessary slots?
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:17:53 +0100
Message-ID: <437df0b2$1_at_news.fhg.de>
Gene Wirchenko schrieb:
> On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 16:47:53 +0100, Alexandr Savinov
> <spam_at_conceptoriented.com> wrote:
>
>
>>JOG schrieb: >> >>>Alexandr Savinov wrote: >>> >>> >>>>What people cannot understand is that we cannot simply disable nulls. It >>>>is too simplistic point of view. It is not possible to say that we will >>>>not use nulls and that is all. Why? Because the notion of absence exists >>>>in almost any data model. We need to know if an object exists or not. If >>>>yes, then we get some value. If not then we get null.
>
>
> No, if not, we get another value.
No, it is not a value - it is an absence of value. Ok, if you like to refer to absence of thing as thing then why not. But I find it somehow misleading. Because if something is absent then it is already not a thing (call it vacuum if you want). It is important only how this "value" behaves and what are its operational characteristics.
>>>"absence exists in almost any data model?" That makes no sense to my >>>ears. If you don't know something why try to type it in as a fact >>>(outside some logistical efficiency considerations)?. >> >>Because sometimes we have a slot for that and we must write some value >>into it.
>
>
> You keep harping about flexibility. Why do you not use a system
> that does not force you to fill in unnecessary slots?
It is not possible to choose between these two mechanisms between normally we are somewhere in between. Using many tables with many auxiliary intermediate tables and columns is also "bad" just like using too many nullable columns.
-- http://conceptoriented.comReceived on Fri Nov 18 2005 - 16:17:53 CET