From: EG
To: Editor

Date: June 25, 2003

I have a question about understanding and translation of term "RDBMS" (relational database management system). May be it's some strange.

Russian allows arbitrary consecution. The consecution of words in Russian translations of "RDBMS" term means something like "Relational System for Management Of DataBases" very often. But, as I know English, the word "relational" in  phrase "relational database management system" can relate both to "database" and to "management system".  May be, translation "System for Management of Relational Data Bases" is more correct?

What is "relational" part in RDBMS term - database or management system?

From: Fabian Pascal

To: EG

Relational refers, indeed, to both DBMSs and databases.

In order for the practical benefits of the relational model to materialize, both the DBMS and databases must be relational. So there’s RDBMS--relational database management system--and relational database.

Unfortunately, many in the industry and press use the terms DBMS and database interchangeably, which is incorrect. That is probably why you got confused.

Posted 09/26/03

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