[ciapug] Re: Relational Databases

[Darcy Baston]

I think it depends on how the data relates. If there's a clear  
dependency, where parent objects should never be deleted where it  
would leave orphans unless they too were also removed, then the  
relational model works great. It can prevent a great deal of data  
buggering in a way coding manually would take an ocean of time and  
testing. The relational models exist to prevent such minutia.

Not that every application is so clear cut. There will be exceptions,  
but as the exceptions grow, so does a realization that the data model  
was poorly planned. I work in a poorly planned environment, so  
EVERYTHING is an exception. :) And therefore, is completely code based.

In a planned environment where changes are seldom experienced,  
relationships keep things consistent without a lot of effort. In a  
chaotic constantly changing environment (table here one day, table  
gone the next, company merger here, company split there), getting a  
solid model becomes difficult and additional coding begins to make  
sense but only as a moment to moment necessity, and never as a black/ 
white "way of life".

Coding a database too much, turns a walk into a sprint. You'll do a  
lot of movement, but it won't be sustainable in the long run. It also  
creates a potentially excessive dependence on the coder(s).

I'll pass on the coder-ego stroking, and let a relationship do my  
work for me any day!

Darcy


On May 18, 2005, at 9:09 PM, Mike Parks wrote:

> Ok, there was almost an arguement where I work today over  
> relational databases.
>
> One person admittedly is just starting to use database driven  
> relationships, now wants to use them all of the time. The other, is  
> deadset on using code to keep the relationship.
>
> I on the third hand, really think that it would depend from job to  
> job.
>
> Reading through numerous books you get the statement "its there,  
> why not use it..."
>
> So I'll ask the question here, Pro's, Con's, always, never, does  
> the size of the DB matter in the decision? What do you think?
>
> Mike