Databases
This updates my article at:

Databases for Not Yet Techies

Databases remain -- as they always will, in one form or another,
the primary function of computer processing. Even with
networks facilitating the use of computers as communications
devices, they are more than glorified telephones because of
their ability to store, retrieve and process data.

Up until recently, all the emphasis has been on relational
databases. This is an effective of linking multiple records by
designating one particular piece of data unique to each field as the "key."

For instance, a unique number can be assigned to very
customer of a business. The customers records will also
include names, addresses, orders etc. The orders can be
linked to various sales and inventory databases.

That has been expanded another level to create multidimensional
databases (MDB). These are optimized for data warehousing and
online analytical processing (OLAP). The beauty of an MDB is that
you can ask complex questions such as which region of the country
had the strongest sales of a particular color of lipstick (if you're a
cosmetics company).

Relational databases can answer simple questions such as the
address of Customer Number 895666-2256. Multidimensional
databases can answer questions such as the above that are complex.
The task for human beings in business is to ask questions that are
meaningful to the business, and to properly interpret the answers.
Maybe there is no real difference in lipstick color popularity in
different areas of the country but more purple was sold in the South
last month just due to random fluctuations. It would then be a mistake
to stress the color purple in TV ads aimed at Southern women.

No database can explain whether its data is due to meaningful cause
and effect relationships or randomness.

Software that can make such queries to multidimensional databases is
known as a multidimensional online analytical processing (MOLAP) application.

We now also have post-relational databases, which represent the
"convergence and co-existence of SQL databases, object-oriented
databases and M Language Global databases."

Object oriented databases are created by object oriented database
management systems (that is, the software creating and managing
databases) to make database objects compatible with objects in one
or more object oriented programming languages, such as C++, Java and
Smalltalk. This makes the data in them easier to be accessed by and
used by software programs created in these languages.

M Language is a small set of extensions to Fortran that enables a
modular approach to message-passing programs, so that must be
applicable to databases also.
- posted by RickStooker @ 1:02 PM (0) comments

 
Corel Certifications
This updates my article at:

Corel Certifications for Not Yet Techies

Unfortunately, Corel has done away with its certification program.
Or is keeping it a secret on its website.
- posted by RickStooker @ 7:13 AM (0) comments