Re: SQL99 - Nested Tables

From: Darren Alcorn <dalcorn(at)gmail(dot)com>
To: David Fetter <david(at)fetter(dot)org>
Cc: Josh Berkus <josh(at)agliodbs(dot)com>, pgsql-hackers(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: Re: SQL99 - Nested Tables
Date: 2005-07-07 23:41:10
Message-ID: 5A4D87C1-C0E3-4B62-842B-1AA586BA5A2D@gmail.com
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The way I understand Nested Tables and Object Relational Databases,
they basically are a layer on top of any old RDBMS that adds ease for
the user. I personally believe in normalization theory I just don't
like implementing it to avoid JOIN syntax.

How difficult would it be to implement (for those more familiar with
the code) to write such a "layer." It could always be a patch until I
can persuade more people that it's a good idea.

Darren

On Jul 7, 2005, at 7:09 PM, David Fetter wrote:

> On Thu, Jul 07, 2005 at 12:53:14PM -0700, Josh Berkus wrote:
>
>> Darren,
>>
>>
>>> I was mainly interested because of the simplicity it seems to add
>>> for
>>> implementing an application using the database. While those
>>> accustomed
>>> to writing SQL queries using joins and keys might prefer it for many
>>> understandable reasons, there is something to be said for
>>> multidimensional data structures. It would be like if you _had_
>>> to have
>>> multiple arrays to store information in C instead of using a
>>> multidimensional array. I'm open to debate on the subject as I'd
>>> love to
>>> be convinced that Oracle is wrong.
>>>
>>
>> Ooops. Our discussion somehow got shifted off list. Suffice it
>> to say
>> that not everyone agrees with me.
>>
>
> Where "not everyone" includes one C. J. Date ;)
>
>
>>> I think the XML features are important and I'd be more suited
>>> writing something more straight forward versus re-inventing the
>>> wheel. I brought it up for debate, because I thought it was
>>> something that should be thought about.
>>>
>>
>> Yes, I just don't see how nested tables relate to XML.
>>
>
> To me, they don't relate directly, as tables (nested or otherwise)
> have no intrinsic row ordering, where XML does. Nested tables is a
> Good Thing(TM) though :)
>
> Cheers,
> D
> --
> David Fetter david(at)fetter(dot)org http://fetter.org/
> phone: +1 510 893 6100 mobile: +1 415 235 3778
>
> Remember to vote!
>

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