[REBOL] Re: dbms3.r 01
From: rgaither:triad:rr at: 14-Jan-2002 20:23
Hi Romano,
>> The process is usually called normalization. :) If you can provide
>> an example, maybe I can try to give a possible solution.
>
>Now i realize how it is possible (i made it tens of times in databases
>programs :-).
>But i feel it ab-normal. I must extract data from a "natural" container to
>put it in an artificial one which can be useful only in some rare cases and I
>must duplicate at least one value to keep the link with the "master" db and
>add a ID for every record. It is the prize of relational row/column struct. It
>has the advantage of a direct access to the data of the derived db. I'm
>starting ask if it is the best path to follow.
The model where the data gets its relationship(s) from its "nested" position
was known as "Hierarchical" if I remember it correctly. :-) This was the
leading model when relational came on the scene. In general the relational
model had the advantage of flexibility in dealing with more complex data
relationships. It was however at the price you mention of duplicating and
providing the ID information which can often be more columns than the real
data in a fully normalized database.
As for the best path to follow it "depends". :-)
It is worth noting that XML is breathing some life back into hierarchical
representation of data.
FWIW, Rod.
Rod Gaither
Oak Ridge, NC - USA
[rgaither--triad--rr--com]
