On Fri, 2002-07-12 at 16:05, Scott Taylor wrote:

> At 08:36 AM 12/07/2002, you wrote:
> >I really would like to know why First is a keyword in Firebird and not
> >in InterBase.
>
> <snip>
>
> >I use First in storing names like
> >
> >First,Middle,Last,Suffix.
>
> I find it difficult to believe anyone would use words like first, last, as
> fields in any database application especially an SQL language. If the
> keyword had been FirstName, or even FirstN I could see you having a point.

Well I would like to have read suggestion like that in documentation.

Although my thoughts have always been keep it simple ad readable. The
less I have to type usually the better when righting lots of code.

I mean

FirstName,MiddleName,LastName,SuffixName

Really do not make sense. Maybe the first three, but when you look at
most paper forms for the past many years they usually break down as

First,Last,Middle,Suffix.

So why should the DB world be so far off?

Now the others you suggested are less readable, and I would like to keep
the column names simple for others to understand as well.

> >I have more tables, triggers, and etc. than it is feasible to update.
>
> Wow. Poor you. You might have trouble if Interbase ever starts using
> unique finds, or if you need to move to a different platform and that
> platform uses it. It's not too unusual.
>
> >So is this a bug or the direction Firebird is heading.
>
> I would say it's a feature, and a useful one.

Then why is Firebird making the installation look just like InterBase
when it is obviously very different and going in a different direction.

Aside from a few things, everything under a Firebird installation is
named the same as an InterBase install. So you would think the two to be
similar, and like I said, backward compatible, at least with IB 6.0.

> >I was under th impression that Firebird was picking up where InterBase
> >left off, and was at least backward compatible.
>
> Almost a whole version ago (or a little more), where it left off, Borland
> was nice enough to open Interbase up so an Open Source project like
> Firebird could get started, they never said they had to stay exactly the
> same.

Then they should not be using the same names. The folder should be
firebird not interbase. The engine should be fbserver not ibserver, and
etc.

> I wouldn't doubt it if Interbase started adopting useful concepts
> like: select first record where... as well.

Looks like it's my fault for not staying on top of SQL standards and
reading the Firebird release notes.

Also looks like I will have to stick with InterBase for a while, and
figure out how to modify everything without interruption in service.


--
Sincerely,
William L. Thomson Jr.
Support Group
Obsidian-Studios Inc.
439 Amber Way
Petaluma, Ca. 94952
Phone 707.766.9509
Fax 707.766.8989
http://www.obsidian-studios.com