ABOUT THIS SITE
(for what thinking
practitioners are saying about this site see the Appreciation
page)
THE
PROBLEM
[Current DBMS]
deficiencies are, it seems to me, directly due to the widespread lack of
understanding (not least on the part of vendors), of fundamental database
principles. Certainly it is undeniable that they flout those principles in
numerous ways. And the practical consequences are all too obvious: First, users
must understand where the deficiencies lie; second, they have to understand
just why they are deficiencies; third, they have to understand how to work
around them; and fourth, they have to devote time and effort in persuading the
vendors to remedy them. The trouble is, of course, users too tend to be unaware
of those same fundamental principles and, hence, find themselves unable to
carry out their side of the "contract" (a "contract" that
should not have been allowed, or agreed to in the first place, of course). It's
a vicious cycle. What is more, this sad state of affairs is not likely to
change given the apparent lack of interest on the part of the trade
press--itself ignorant of these same principles--in trying to improve matters.
--C. J. Date
A lot of what is being
said, written, or done in the database management field--or whatever is left of
it--by vendors, the trade press and "experts" is irrelevant,
misleading, or outright wrong. While this is to a degree true of computing in
general, in the database field the problems are so acute that, claims to the
contrary notwithstanding, technology is actually regressing!
--F. Pascal
THE
SOLUTION
is the web site that
sets matters straight by telling the truth about database management. It is the
critical forum for concepts, principles and methods and their practical
implications that receive little, incorrect, or no coverage from the trade
media, and no consideration from vendors and industry pundits. It is dedicated
to and intended for MIS professionals, application developers, managers, users
(experienced or novices), academics and students who think for themselves, want
to understand database management, rather than follow the prevailing
"cookbook" approach, and who are interested in minimizing the severe
costs imposed by mindless technology and marketing fads. The site is focused on
database education--as distinct from product-specific training--and
should be, therefore, useful, regardless of DBMS software or technology is
used.
THE
CONTENT
In addition to
critical, no hold barred articles, editorials, comments, exchanges, and those
very rare useful links, we will post weekly quotes culled from the press,
vendors, experts and users. Visitors are encouraged to figure out "what is
wrong with the picture" painted by the quotes.
The site will document
our annual public lecturing schedules, seminars and books. Subject to interest,
demand and support we may introduce white papers and online education.
Readers are encouraged
to contact us with questions and comments, and bring to our attention negative
or positive database issues from the industry.
ABOUT US
Founder, Editor and
Publisher
Fabian
Pascal has a national and international reputation as an independent
technology analyst, consultant, author, and instructor of seminars, specializing
in data management. He was affiliated with Codd & Date and for 20 years
held various analytical and management positions in the private and public
sectors, has taught and lectured at the business and academic levels, and
advised vendor and user organizations on data management technology, strategy
and implementation. Clients included IBM, Census Bureau, CIA, Apple, Borland,
Cognos, UCSF, and IRS. He is founder, editor and publisher of DATABASE DEBUNKINGS, a web site
dedicated to dispelling persistent fallacies, flaws, myths and misconceptions
prevalent in the IT industry. The site publishes his own and C. J. Date’s
papers, as well as the recently re-launched PRACTICAL
DATABASE FOUNDATIONS series, dedicated to explaining the
fundamentals of data management to IT practitioners. Author of three books, he has published
extensively, including DM Review, Database Programming and Design,
DBMS, Byte, Infoworld and Computerworld. He is
author of the contrarian columns Against the Grain,
Setting Matters Straight, and Test Your Foundation Knowledge, as
well as a column for the Dutch DB/M magazine.
Senior Contributor
C.J. Date is a well known independent consultant,
author, lecturer, and researcher specializing in relational technology. One of
the first persons to recognize and support Codd's pioneering work on the
relational model, he was involved in technical planning for the IBM products
SQL/DS and DB2. He is best known for his books--in particular his INTRODUCTION
TO DATABASE SYSTEMS, now in its 8th edition, and more recently,
together with Hugh Darwen, FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE
DATABASE SYSTEMS: THE THIRD MANIFESTO, 3rd edition forthcoming
in 2005.
CONTACT
**(Replace ourdomain with dbdebunk)**
Editorial: comments@ourdomain.com
Seminars: education@ourdomain.com
Papers: papers@ourdomain.com
Webmaster: website@ourdomain.com
