Re: Mixing OO and DB

From: JOG <jog_at_cs.nott.ac.uk>
Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:27:05 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <9098871a-bd2c-4385-b547-542f38b2055a_at_34g2000hsz.googlegroups.com>


On Feb 15, 2:31 am, David BL <davi..._at_iinet.net.au> wrote:
> On Feb 14, 10:38 pm, JOG <j..._at_cs.nott.ac.uk> wrote:
> [snip]
> > On Feb 14, 3:52 am, David BL <davi..._at_iinet.net.au> wrote:
> > "todays lottery numbers: 23, 34, 17"
> > "experimental results: 23, 34, 17"
>
> > All written down on a bit of paper - same values discussed, but
> > different data. Agree or disagree?
>
> I agree. Yes, same values but different data
>
> > I ask this because if we can distinguish data and values, we must then
> > determine /how/ they are different. You state it is by "encoding" but
> > the two lines above are encoded in the same manner as far as I am
> > concerned, so that cannot be the difference between the two concepts.
> > That is unless your "Encodings" equates to my notion of "Facts", and
> > we are thus agreeing loudly, using different definitions of those
> > terms.
>
> They are the same values and they are encoded in the same manner.
> However they are distinct appearances, hence distinct data.

Ok, so we're agreed at least there. Same values with the same encoding. Yet the first datum is different to the second. The logic below therefore follows:

  1. The two items of data discussed have the same values and same encoding.
  2. The two items of data can obviously be distinguished (we are agreed they are not the same data).
  3. Therefore a datum must possess some attribute outside of its values and encoding.

What one /calls/ that extra component is debatable (context, description, etc), but I cannot see anyway around the above logic - in fact I feel like it is an incredibly strong argument. It starts with agreed observations, followed by the application of the law of indiscernibility of identicals.

If you can see a hole in it then I'm sure you'll let me know ;)

>
> [snip]
> > Well put. I contend that you can't do this, and that a poem or image
> > as described is not an example of data, but merely values. You are
> > saying to me "a poem is data. It is clearly not a fact. Ergo, pwnage."
>
> In this discussion I would prefer to actually say "the appearance of a
> poem is data".
>
> > But you are already assuming it is data in the first step. I say its
> > not, and cannot follow why you would think it is. Like a "22". That's
> > not data but, if I was a numerologist say, I would still find the
> > value interesting.
>
> I keep thinking you're ignoring my qualification that it is the
> appearance of a value that counts as data, not the value itself.

Not my intention to ignore it, but I have been wary of getting into a more handwavy discussion about nominalism, universals, formalism etc, etc. However, I hope to have shown above that saying data is the merely appearance of a value (and that may well be part of it) is insufficient, and that a datum is made up of the 'appearance of values' /plus/ something else.

>
> > So to me the poem is just a value.
>
> Yes, but would you say the appearance of a value is just a value?
>
> > Its only data when I say this thing
> > here, X, has role Y.
>
> We agree that a value doesn't have a context. However the appearance
> of a value *does* have a context.

Ok, I understand. I am just saying the context has to be considered as part of the data, not just as a product of it appearing. Again, I hope my previous logic has shown that the data must be considered as possessing an attribute outside of 'a value' and the fact that it appears.

>
> > A picture is just a picture. Even if its, say, a
> > biochemistry picture of a cell membrane. _However_ if that picture is
> > then put in a log book, under "image of neurostem cell from experiment
> > B", its data. This accords to tradtional definitions.
>
> You seem to have three distinct arguments.
>
> 1) Data requires knowledge in order to decode it as a value; and
> this knowledge is part of the data.
>
> 2) David has been saying data = value; and
> a value (is just a value and) doesn't have a context; and
> a conveyed value without a context is meaningless.
>
> 3) by definition data = encoded values that represent facts; so
> an encoded poem (with no additional context) is not data
>
> Please tell me if I've misrepresented you!

Hard to tell, I think I've gradually been changing my mind throughout this conversation ;) I certainly feel like I have a stronger argument now to explain what was more of an intuition to begin with. But hey, I try not to be too prissy about this sort of stuff, as I find that I learn more that way.

My whole argument appears to be now be that you can't externalize the context bit, so I'll leave it at that. Regards, Jim.

>
> I would say (1) doesn't actually lead to any differences in practise
> over what we call data, making it appear rather metaphysical.
>
> In my opinion (2) can be defeated for two different reasons
> a) David has actually been saying data = appearance of value; and
> an appearance of a value has a context
> b) there exists examples (like a poem) where a conveyed value
> without any
> additional context is useful.
>
> (3) leads to a difference on real examples, but I do find it
> surprising that I could give you a disk with a web page encoded on it
> and you would claim that it isn't actually data (but it may contain
> data).
>
> > I am offering you examples where you have an item that you would not
> > describe as data, and showing how it is turned into something that is
> > generally described as data. All best, have found the conversation so
> > far well articulated, even if we don't agree.... Jim.
>
> Also the conversation has been courteous. Cheers!
Received on Sat Feb 16 2008 - 20:27:05 CET

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