Re: Mixing OO and DB
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:27:03 -0500
Message-ID: <m2mypk30jc.fsf_at_spe.com>
Eric <eric_at_deptj.demon.co.uk> writes:
> On 2008-02-28, Patrick May <pjm_at_spe.com> wrote:
>> ... traversal is done by object
>> reference rather than by some subset of object state
>
> So whatever you think you are saying your subconscious is
> following pointers.
I tried to be very clear with what I was saying. In the large OO systems that I've worked on, there was no problem with proliferation of finder methods in practice. Typically, once a core set of objects have been instantiated, access to related objects is via reference rather than repeated, explicit database access.
> The trouble is you think you own the data, and also you can only
> look at it in your own way. You do not understand how much work the
> database could do for you, and you discourage proper database design
> because you think you can do better at your (inappropriate) level,
> so that the unknown future uses of the data will be made more
> difficult.
I do no such thing. When I started out in this industry, lo those many years ago, I was working for a CASE tool company, doing both internal and external development primarily based around relational databases. From there I moved on to consulting engagements with customers including Oracle, Ingres, and DEC, again all related to database-centric development. I know proper database design quite well, thank you.
> You are like a man with a hammer, seeing only nails.
Not at all. If you check my posting history in comp.object you'll find that I argue for a full toolbox, including OO, relational, procedural, functional, and any other techniques that prove useful in developing quality software.
> Objects are a useful tool but they are not universal, you do not
> have to use them for everything, and you must _not_ campaign to have
> them used for everything. Stop, and realise that there is a wider
> picture.
The same can be said for any approach, including relational. I know, I've said it. I suggest you take your own advice regarding the wider picture.
Regards,
Patrick
S P Engineering, Inc. | Large scale, mission-critical, distributed OO
| systems design and implementation. pjm_at_spe.com | (C++, Java, Common Lisp, Jini, middleware, SOA)Received on Fri Feb 29 2008 - 04:27:03 CET