Re: Relational Databases Lack Relationships

Eric wrote:
> Following a recent catastrophic computer failure I found myself having
> to browse the internet with the interruption of many more advertisements
> than I am used to. One amazingly pervasive ad offered me a free download
> of a book about graph databases. Obviously from a company that makes a
> "graph database system", whatever that is. Still, after about the 47th
> viewing, why not, I might learn something.
>
> What I have learnt so far is that they use the subject of this post as a
> section heading, followed by:
>
> "For several decades, developers have tried to accommodate connected,
> semi-structured datasets inside relational databases. But whereas
> relational databases were initially designed to codify paper forms
> and tabular structures—something they do exceedingly well—they
> struggle when attempting to model the ad hoc, exceptional relationships
> that crop up in the real world. Ironically, relational databases deal
> poorly with relationships."

Relational databases were initially designed to implement the ideas Codd has developed [1] and which he managed to get broad acceptance. Obviously he had to struggle for that:

   "... my determination to fight for what I believed was right     during the ten or more years in which government, industry,     and commerce were strongly opposed to the relational approach     to database management." (dedication in [2])

> Aside from needing to find out what on earth they mean by
> "semi-structured" and "ad-hoc, exceptional relationships", has anyone
> ever heard, from any other source, that codifying paper forms and tabular
> structures is what relational databases were designed to do?

I have often heard of that "tabular structure". It is a misconception. It is also not surprising to me that a company which sells graph databases gives away free books containing criticism on the relational model.

> I'm not actually sure how much I care, but...
... you seem to care.

> Eric

Norbert

References:
[1] https://technology.amis.nl/wp-content/uploads/images/RJ599.pdf [2] https://books.google.de/books/about/The_Relational_Model_for_Database_Manage.html?id=ZZckAQAAIAAJ Received on Wed Oct 28 2015 - 11:03:28 CET