>>>> Neo: the focus of the experimental db is to provide the most flexible
method of representing things. I believe I have already surpassed RM.
..
>>> Bob: Idiot. Complexity of structure is not a worthy or useful goal in
data management.
..
>> Neo: I haven't asserted that complexity of structure is a worthy or
useful goal in data management.
..
>> Nick: I agree that complexity of structure is not a worthy goal. Never
said it was. Nor, to the best of my knowledge, did Neo. On the other hand,
if the data itself is complex, it's representation should be a simple as
possible, but no simpler.
..
> Bob: When Neo says: "the most flexible method of representing things"
and compares it to the RM, he uses "flexible" as a synonym for "complex"
and "method of representing things" as a synonym for structure.
Having understood me so precisely for the past five years, I am
slightly disappointed Bob :) Substituting in your synonyms, my
statement would read: "the focus of the experimental db is to provide
the most complex structure". Bob, I don't want to provide the most
complex structure :) In general, I agree with Nick, "representation
should be as simple as possible".
An analogy follows to explain how I am using flexible. Please excuse
any exaggerations :) Suppose Date has a method of opening containers
(bottles, cans, drums, ice chests, etc). Using Date's method, one can
open 70% of all containers that currently exist. Neo also has a method
of opening containers. Neo's method can open 95% of current containers
and 95% of all future containers (some of new type). Date's method uses
less resources (time, steps, memory, processing power, money, etc) but
is more limited. Neo's method uses more resources but is less limited.
Its not that Date could use more resources to open a higher % of
containers. Date simply can't come up with a more
general/flexible/versatile/encompassing method at this time.
In context to the above story, which word(s) should I use in: The
experimental db provides the most _____ method of representing things.
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