Re: Constraints and Functional Dependencies

On Feb 24, 2:01 am, "Marshall" <marshall.spi..._at_gmail.com> wrote:
> I hope no one will mind too much if I take a break from our
> usual sort of discussion and talk about database theory for
> a bit.

OK, Marshall

--because I take this as a dig (perhaps simply being overly sensitive in this ng), knowing that my interest is in data modeling and only in "database theory" as it relates to data modeling and software development, rather than in "doing" some pure form of database theory;
--because I do not "feel" it is a friendly dig, but rather a form of a "good ole' boy" self-righteous dig
--because I'm sick of letting the really nasty digs (which this is not) slide by, not having figure out what to do with them to date; --because this ng seems to have decided it is acceptable behavior to be nasty while I find it indefensible, a sad part of this ng, and very unfortunate;
--because I would rather do something about it than bemoan this fact; --and because I think you along with many others have the capacity to rise above such nastiness,
I'm going to reply to this.

Please review the charter below and note that this charter does not indicate that any one of the below topics is somehow better than another in this newsgroup. If this ng is no longer about data modeling or if it is not acceptable to discuss and ask questions about database theory from the perspective of a data modeler (a user of database theory), or if this ng is strictly about relational theory, then let's change the charter so that is clear.

Then I still might not understand why this ng does not self-police by working in force to clean it up (individuals do attempt it at times, but it seems it will take more than what one individual can do on their own), but at least I would understand whether my questions were on topic according to the new charter rather than relying on the current one. I do not and would not intend to start discussions that are out of the scope of the charter for the ng.

I don't know the ng voting process for changing a charter, but I'm pretty sure it can be changed. We could change it as indicated above, or we could add a clear statement about what we consider unacceptable behavior, or we can change it in any other way.

So, what would you like to see as the charter moving forward, or is it acceptable as it is? If it is acceptable as it is, if there are discussions about data modeling or about database theory from the perspective of a data modeler (an end-user) or if someone questions a premise of relational theory and some do not find such topics interesting, ignore them, get over it, no need to dig in a way that is "anti-" other people (friendly digs are, of course, always acceptable). Your take? --dawn

Charter of cdt below---------------------------->

CHARTER:        Discussion of topics relating to advances in database
                technology including debate on theoretical,
prototypical
                and performance aspects of Database Systems, Data
Modelling
                and Logical and Physical Database Design.

NOTE:           Specifically excluded are discussions relating to
                implemented DBMS whether commercial or not.