Re: No exceptions?

> > If you don't agree to go by
> > Date's definitions, then don't argue with anyone who does.
>
> Why on earth not? Firstly, I don't contradict Date, and secondly, any
> hypothetical disagreement with Date does not disqualify me from the
> discussion.

The point I was trying to make is that agreement on the precise meaning of the terms is *prerequisite* to any form of argument. I was *not* trying to make you shut up. I was trying to prevent people talking past one another.

That said, it might also be useful to point out that the complete set of Date's writings span a period of over twenty years, years during which of course insights have evolved. He quite often uses the phrase "this chapter is to be considered as superseding anything I have written on this subject before", or something of that nature. Quoting the older books is therefore often a somewhat iffy proposition.

> Oh, and what about those who don't agree to Date's definitions of the
> extend operator, or of summarisation vs. aggregation? Should they shut
> up too ?

They should not shut up, but debating the issue becomes impossible unless it is clearly specified what the alternative views are precisely.

> --
> Erwin
Received on Tue Jul 04 2006 - 03:24:06 CDT