From: Jonathan Donald
To: Editor
Date: 27 Apr 2005
I'm enjoying your web site immensely, and learning about
relational databases (while unlearning some of the conventional 'wisdom' I'd
acquired over the past few years).
Happily or unhappily, depending on how one looks at it, I was
just downsized by a company which has been flagrantly ignoring all the
accumulated knowledge concerning relational databases. We're talking no primary
keys, no relational integrity constraints, widespread use of magic values, and
generally treating the database as a giant bucket of data. So, while I look for
a new situation, I'll be a frequent visitor to dbdebunk.com, and looking
forward to working with folks who understand and respect the term 'relational
database.'
If you're not completely fed up with reading about absurd
XML/relational database schemes, check out
http://weblog.infoworld.com/udell/2005/04/26.html#a1222.
Most of the time, I think Jon Udell is a pretty smart guy,
who often has a fresh perspective and interesting ideas. However, sometimes he
strikes out. This column in particular is very disappointing. He's interviewing
Michael Rys concerning the features of 'Yukon,' (SQL Server 2005). My favorite
quote:
With XML, Rys says, you might register an initial schema, but
you can then add more schemas over time, and you can mix document types in a
single column.
That basically says it all...
Keep up your excellent work. You're performing a valuable
service to the tech community, even if few realize/acknowledge it.
Ed. Comment: As
long as the subject they cover does not require knowledge of fundamentals,
journalists can handle it. But if the subject requires foundation knowledge,
they strike out, because all they can do is regurgitate what vendors say, and
are unable to assess it. Vendors have no such knowledge either, so they develop
products based on laundry lists by users, who are ignorant of the foundation
too. The consequences in such circumstances are, logically, predictable.
Posted 6/24/05
