RE: RE: Manager decrees "his" data warehouse design. Help!

Patrice,

You write:

"> What is the meaning of "relational" in "relational database" again?"

Apparently not what you think. The relational in 'relational database' comes from the term relation--a certain type of mathematical table in set theory. It has nothing at all to do with relationships (the confusing term chosen for the connections between relations in a RDBMS). Thus the hideous monstrosity described in this thread is not non-relational because it is stuffed into a single table (relation), however it is also NOT normalized and NOT usable.

One could, however, argue that this makes it non-relational in that it is so lacking in normalization that it cannot be distinguished from a flat file. The boss described here is similar in many ways to a flat file--obtuse, limited, stubborn and out-of-date technologically. But I would rather deal with a flat file any day than with such a flatheaded  person.

Regards,
Chris Gait

On 27 Feb 2002, at 12:28, Boivin, Patrice J wrote:

Date sent:      	Wed, 27 Feb 2002 12:28:25 -0800
To:             	Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L <ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com>
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> What is the meaning of "relational" in "relational database" again?
>
> Good grief.
>
> Regards,
> Patrice Boivin
> Systems Analyst (Oracle Certified DBA)
>
>

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