Re: [9fans] Interested in improving networking in Plan 9

[Daniel Lyons <fusion@storytotell.org>]

On Sep 3, 2009, at 10:13 AM, Anthony Sorace wrote:

> you can do things like
> data constraints and validations in the application code, rather than
> in the sql database itself, which always feels like this random
> bolt-on to the application logic.


I think it's useful to think of relational databases as integration  
technology rather than merely storage technology. Having everything  
important in the application layer means you have to go through the  
application layer to do anything. Part of the point of SQL and RDBMSes  
being so complex is that it liberates the data from any one particular  
application that wants to access the data. This fact is often  
forgotten these days because most databases are only accessed through  
the web via one app. But I usually find that eventually one needs to  
get at the data directly, for reporting, maintenance or some other  
task that isn't intrinsically part of the website. Then the database  
can take on the data management role and make sure you don't make your  
data incomprehensible, as well as provide you with a little security.

Of course, it's best of all if you have a database that supports  
things like views; otherwise you will need application code to have  
any abstractions at all.

—
Daniel Lyons