Re: Interesting question and debate on ddl tables withdate fieldsthat will not always have a value

Elvis Budimlic wrote:

I try to write for a general audience instead, based on what my experience
is of the RLA demographic. Since it's based on my experience, it's
obviously biased.

And I appreciate that. I'm in fact striving for the same goal - to present the best information to the non-experts in the audience. The experts (they know who they are <grin>) don't need our help.

But I always get hives when somebody tries to tell someone that they must use one technique or other because it's "technically superior". It's not that there aren't situations where this is the case; obviously left-handed indicators and the CAB keyword aren't technically sound approaches. But almost always "lesser" techniques are either old and obsolete or simply bad programming. RLA is neither of those, nor is choosing a NULL-less database design.

Even though my comments don't apply to you, I still stand
behind them. I can only hope they help some of the listers reading them but decide not to post (silent majority?).

Yes, and in any case your technical expertise in SQL is above reproach. I very much enjoy reading your posts, along with those of the other true experts on the list. That's why I stick around, even when I have exasperating days <grin>.

So, please continue providing your opinions and your expertise, and don't take it personally if I occasionally chime in with an opposing viewpoint. It's more than likely just that - another opinion. Not a better one, just another one.

Joe