Re: A database theory resource - ideas
Date: 16 Mar 2007 09:05:42 -0700
Message-ID: <1174061142.093345.218490_at_e65g2000hsc.googlegroups.com>
On Mar 16, 3:58 pm, "JOG" <j..._at_cs.nott.ac.uk> wrote:
> I found one of the most interesting parts in a gargantuan recent
> thread was the listing of priorities for reaching a certain audience
> and determining what one wants to get across (Thanks to bob for that.
> You may object to his style but I've found there can be lot of value
> in his posts).
>
> Anyhow I have discovered a lot over the last year since my arrival,
> and as such I often feel the urge to contribute back to general
> knowledge in the field. So with the loss of sites such as dbdebunk and
> the general lack of a simple central resource for database theory I am
> intending to put together a form of FAQ site. Hopefully this will be
> useful to reducing retro-activity in the field, as well as being a
> useful educational resource. Additionally any audience is self-
> selecting and this can only ease a lot of the frustrations I have in
> trying to convince those in entrenched positions of advancements over
> the last few decades. Perhaps it may even provide a reference link for
> common arguments that continually arise. Who knows.
Good idea.
> Anyhow I am initially aiming to concisely cover the following topics:
>
> * The vital nature of separating conceptual/logical/physical layers in
> data modelling
Agreed. Suggestion: Why not create a *Data Modeling* section to put
the separation between logical and physical in perspective?
Demonstrating that is perfectly applyable even using crappy SQL
Systems is a strong argument against nonsense. On the same variation:
why not distinguish an *Implementation* vs *Fundamental*
perspective...Such structure may help sharpen the presentation of
concepts...
> * Working in terms of Propositions and not Objects
Interesting. That would interesting for OO audiences desiring to
learn more about data management...Maybe a section *RM for OO Thinking
Developpers*
> * The argument against OID's (and hence for the information principle)
I am not convinced a defensive attitude toward OID aberration is
effective in promoting RM. But maybe you could create a *Debunk* or
*BS* section and put some strong critical articles...
> * Why Navigation was replaced by Declaration
Agreed. I would see it in some kind of *Why RM is superior*
> * That Data models involve not just structure, but also manipulation
> and integrity.
Agreed.
> * Why hypertext models are insufficient (due to irreducible tuples)
> (web 3.0 ... good grief)
Interesting.
> * What semistructured data is (or rather is not).
Agreed.
> I am planning to omit well covered ground such as eliminating
> redundancy and anomalies through normalization, simply referring to
> external links. Obviously all of the above has been covered somewhere
> in the literature, so the aim is rather to produce a central, concise
> and hence accessible resource as opposed to resorting to a text-book/
> academic paper format.
Good luck. I encourage you in doing that.
> The main purpose is to provide a purely educational resource, with as
> little impartiality as I can muster, constraining to established
> theory and facts, or clear logical arguments.
>
> So my question to cdt is to ask what /you/ believe the priorities for
> such a resource would be?
> - which pivotal questions are most misunderstood?
> - where does most ignorance lie in our field?
> - are there are any crucial topics that you believe it would be useful
> to address that I have not listed.
Some articles I wish I could see in a site...
- The Impedance Mismatch Myth
- On why are set operations are intrinsically superior to procedural approaches
- On the limitations of direct image dbms's systems (ORACLE, DB2, SQL Server) as opposed to non direct image systems
- On relating the current systems and architectures promoted by major editors and why they are doomed to fail ...and so forth...
> Any input is gratefully received.
See above...Let me know if you need any help (hosting).
Hope this helps... Received on Fri Mar 16 2007 - 17:05:42 CET