Re: Unknown SQL

In comp.databases Carl Rosenberger <carl_at_db4o.com> wrote:
: Since object databases are used by less than 1 % of information technology
: (something like 250 million $ of revenues compared with multiple billions),
: I am now faced with a discussion with SQL gurus with little support from my
: side. So far I am still having fun at it. Please don't try too hard to
: misunderstand me.

Sorry about that. Really, my only complaint is that you provided evidence for, eg, lock systems, and applied it to an unrelated problem, DB structure.

: Shall we continue the rest of the argument war? I think we have very similar
: standpoints and we only use rhetoric ping-pong to get us nowhere. One last
: round:

I agree. I would rather be surfing, which I will go do, right now.

: Some real-life "but"s:
: - I know some programmers that will never be hackers. They are
: out-of-control with their current projects in one language. Do you suggest
: that they should learn a second?

YES. Why? Because learning, thinking, and coding are not linear tasks. Learning a different tool might help them see their current tools better. I try to make all my C++ speaking coworkers learn at least one functional language; they gain a much better understanding of high-level functions than what the Gang of Four Patterns book teaches them, even if they stay within C++.

: - Who pays for the education?

A hard question politically. I will open another flame war by quoting:

"Thus the challenges of a software engineering manager first and foremost are (1) creating a work environment where good programmers will be satisfied enough to stay, and (2) creating a system via which average programmers can become good. In an ideal software engineering organization, there are still some average-quality people but these should be viewed as being apprenticed to the best people and being taught as fast as possible." -- Philip Greenspun from arsDigita

A difficult brew to swallow. But computing moves *fast*. A successful org tries to drag all its developers into becoming internationally famous aikido code wizards. Those who are unwilling, bye!

I guess it's all about the kind of place you want to work.

: - How long do developers typically stay in the same company?

A hard question which I dare not answer.

: Believe me, I have had some happy hours with Oracle database software in the
: past and I don't even want to remember the problems.

Have a good weekend, and I hope you're near an ocean! Received on Sat Jul 21 2001 - 20:02:01 CEST