Sunday, September 10, 2017

This Week



1. Database Truth of the Week

“A network is a directed acyclic graph (the "direction" of the transitive relationship) and, thus, amenable to transitive closure (TC). In the Relational Data Model (RDM) that usually means the smallest set that includes all the members that satisfy the transitive relationship in question (for the count of each object type the closure is computed and the count ignores level). While the Relational Data Model (RDM) can handle an important subset of graph theory via special graph domain operators and extensions to the original relational operators, which could be made efficient, it is a very difficult problem. Certain computations on finite sets such as TC are not in general computable in a language based on first order predicate logic (FOPL) that is declarative, decidable and supports physical independence (PI) -- a core relational objective. They require a computationally complete language (CCL) that is imperative and recursive.
A ‘TC function’ can be implemented using a host CCL that returns its result in the form of a relation; then a symbol (i.e., pure syntax) of type relation can be defined in relational algebra that references/invokes that function. From within the algebra it appears to be just a relation and is up to the user to understand what the value of the returned relation means --i.e., that it represents the TC. That understanding/interpretation is outside the algebra and passed to users only via documentation (e.g., some meta-language).” --David McGoveran

2. What's Wrong With This Database Picture?

"I don’t like talking about the relational theory of data. It is absolutely fundamental to any deep understanding of data, but most practitioners get along fine without it. It’s more the implementers of database management systems (DBMSs) who need to understand relational theory, so teaching relational theory to ordinary practitioners is a bit like tormenting people with irrelevant theory before you let them get on with the business at hand. Moreover, some of those who understand relational theory use their knowledge to beat other people over the head with it. I don’t want to be associated with that high-handed approach to this important theory.

But I’ve been goaded. Google made me do it. My attention was drawn to a video put out by some folks at Google, Data Modeling for BigQuery. The video is fine for the most part, but it makes some misstatements about relational theory that just drive me crazy. They repeat commonly accepted misconceptions about relational databases—misconceptions that, unfortunately, have driven some of the “advances” we’ve seen of late in the realm of database technology. There have definitely been some true advances, but some new technology is merely different without being better.If you’re a practitioner, designing, implementing, and using databases, whether SQL or NoSQL, this won’t matter much to you, although it never hurts to learn a little more about the theory of data. However, if you are a programmer who might be the one who builds the next NoSQL mega-star that will replace decades-old technology, you need to know this, because this knowledge will enable you to blind-side every established DBMS vendor, whether SQL or NoSQL." --Ted Hills, Understand Relational to Understand the Secrets of Data


3. To Laugh or Cry?

Enhancing Relational Models with Graph processing in SQL Server 2017


4. Publications

Reviews

5. Oldie but Goodie

Something “Old,” Something “New,” Neither True

6. Elsewhere

7. Of General Interest

 

And Now for Something Completely Different --The Corruption, Ruination and Decline of Western Civilization

 

Utopian Dystopia -- The Sillicon Valley State: Mechanism of Tyranny and Destruction of Free Civilized Society


My Take: Out of Control -- Tech/Data corporations have unlimited power, no public responsibilities or obligations whatsoever, serve only themselves and, predictably, have turned outright evil.

Internal Collapse



External Demise


Anti-Semitic Hypocrisy, the Myth of a "Palestinian Nation" and the "Peace Process" Delusion



Recommended Reading: Educate Yourself on Monopoly Power The Open Markets team has put together a reading list for those looking to educate themselves about monopolies and concentrated financial power. 


Note: I will not publish or respond to anonymous comments. If you want to say something, stand behind it. Otherwise don't bother, it'll be ignored.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
View My Stats