Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2004 09:35:44 -0800
From: David Fetter <david@fetter.org>
To: Peter Eisentraut <peter_e@gmx.net>
Cc: Jeroen Ruigrok/asmodai <asmodai@wxs.nl>,
	pgsql-docs@postgresql.org
Subject: Re: The Tutorial(TM)
Message-ID: <20040108173544.GY24788@fetter.org>
References: <TyudnZdaUc0gMWGiXTWc-g@speakeasy.net>
	<20040108075229.GE85110@nexus.ninth-circle.org>
	<20040108123937.GU24788@fetter.org>
	<200401081807.13777.peter_e@gmx.net>
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On Thu, Jan 08, 2004 at 06:07:13PM +0100, Peter Eisentraut wrote:
> David Fetter wrote:
> > Expanding on that, putting FK's in "Advanced Features" gives the
> > (IME always wrong) impression that they're optional.
> 
> They *are* optional.

I disagree.

> The first chapter is about getting the data in and out.  That is not
> optional for using a database.  Transactions, views, foreign keys,
> primary keys even, and everything else that some people think is
> essential for a "real" database are in fact optional.
> Remember that the tutorial is intended for people starting from
> zero.

No, they're not optional.  If people see how it's done right, starting
from zero, they will not then develop bad habits that have to be
un-learned.

> Let's not overwhelm them right away.

I don't think this will be overwhelming.

Cheers,
D
-- 
David Fetter david@fetter.org http://fetter.org/
phone: +1 510 893 6100    cell: +1 415 235 3778