Re: theory and practice: ying and yang
From: Kenneth Downs <knode.wants.this_at_see.sigblock>
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 08:37:38 -0400
Message-Id: <f5erm2-nfr.ln1_at_pluto.downsfam.net>
>
> I'm not going to try to make that case.
>
> What I base my opinion on is several delightful articles on the subject of
> "Theory IS Practical", in which the consequences of going against theory
> are explored. In the cases Date outlines, the practical consequences are
> adverse.
>
> When those who know some body of theory deliberately make a design choice
> that the theory doesn't recommend, for reasons that are outside the scope
> of the theory, it can work out well. When those who don't know some body
> of theory design without regard to it, the results are frequently
> disastrous.
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 08:37:38 -0400
Message-Id: <f5erm2-nfr.ln1_at_pluto.downsfam.net>
David Cressey wrote:
>
> "mountain man" <hobbit_at_southern_seaweed.com.op> wrote in message
> news:Jmhme.6075$BR4.3193_at_news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
>> If you disagree, which of the 25 chapters of his >> "Introduction to Database System" (7th Ed) >> would you put forward as the least theoretical, >> and most concerned with practice?
>
> I'm not going to try to make that case.
>
> What I base my opinion on is several delightful articles on the subject of
> "Theory IS Practical", in which the consequences of going against theory
> are explored. In the cases Date outlines, the practical consequences are
> adverse.
>
> When those who know some body of theory deliberately make a design choice
> that the theory doesn't recommend, for reasons that are outside the scope
> of the theory, it can work out well. When those who don't know some body
> of theory design without regard to it, the results are frequently
> disastrous.
Yes indeed. It is very important, when placing a theory into its proper context and assigning it its spere of influence, that one must actually _understand_ that theory, else it is guesswork.
-- Kenneth Downs Secure Data Software, Inc. (Ken)nneth_at_(Sec)ure(Dat)a(.com)Received on Mon May 30 2005 - 14:37:38 CEST