Ask HN: SQL using relational theory books?

6 points by shivajikobardan 257 days ago | 3 comments

I have no benefit of learning relational algebra and calculus. Instead SQL, an imperfect concrete implementation of relational theory....is very valuable.

I wonder what can teach that? Not just simple stuffs but depth stuffs that are useful in real world market.

dapperdrake 256 days ago |

If you want to go that far, then learn about the non-portable and vendor-specific (Oracle, Postgres, etc.) parts of SQL.

Relational Algebra helps with designing fast tables.

> calculus

Did you mean what is commonly referred to as "calculus" or specifically "Relational Calculus" as opposed to Relational Algebra?

"Common calculus" is not connected in any obvious way where it might help. Most of the Lyapunov stuff is kind if obvious for discrete database tables, too. I know very good database people who just ignored all of calculus (except for modelling problem domains).

yincong0822 256 days ago |

I understand your position: you see little benefit in learning the formal, mathematical aspects of the Relational Model (Relational Algebra and Calculus), and instead want to focus on deep, practical SQL knowledge that is valuable in the real-world job market.

shivajikobardan 255 days ago | |

hmm