Data is no longer relational

Ok, so the headline may be a little of an over statement for effect. Perhaps I could have said that data that people are interested in is no longer relational but then it wouldn't have been nearly so pithy.

With much respect to Edgar Codd and his invention of the relational model for database storage I think it is time to move forward. Relational databases are great for things like financial models, personnel data and other Enterprise Systems as well as many other standard, repetitive data. It gave a solid reference point to learn data structures and modeling to several generations of budding Computer Scientists.

When I say it is time to move forward I am not saying we should immediately move all data systems to Object Oriented Databases or otherwise induce data chaos. What I do want to push is the idea of unstructured data. Computers are great with rules, with structure and with fundamentally binary relationships. Algorithms are starting to mature around unstructured data (for an example go search google.) but it is still not widespread or well understood.

New exciting algorithms such as Amazon's Dynamo (Werner Vogels is one of my favorite speakers and bloggers on distributed tech, if you are not familiar with him in this space you should be) database are showing in real world situations that distributed systems and distributed data are a reality.

In a lot of system designs because people are so familiar with relational data structures and systems we find Object Models that look like a relational database design. When asked why it looks like this the answers are fairly consistently things like "this is how the database stores it, for speed we need to do the same" or "it just made sense when we pulled the DBA in to help us with the model."

Objects are not relational! They are objects. Then when you get into full structures of objects or object trees there are relationships but it is not the same as a relational database. Especially as we start to build and mature distributed system algorithms it doesn't make sense to use a centralized data store. If the data can be broken up, distributed and stored with the algorithms that will use it performance will improve.

In fact I would argue that the elusive SLA of a system response can begin to be discussed if we can tie the data to the processing. Granted there are new complexities in this model for synchronization, segmentation and consistency but there are ways to solve them. Similarly consistent access to the same servers is also possible.

What other great examples of distributed computing and distributed data storage have you seen?

Go get an MBA?

I recently read a fabulous post by Seth Godin on NOBS, the end of the MBA. In between bouts of laughter I thought immediately of post material and here we find ourselves.

Not that there is no value in an MBA. Certainly there is and depending upon the program, classes and approach to teaching lots of value can be garnered. But it is not the be all and end all that it is often made out to be. For many people a real world education and a desire to learn are what is needed to be successful. Through books, such as those written by Seth Godin are great sources of knowledge, the catch is that you need to make the time and spend the effort to learn from them.

Another important point is to consider what your focus is. MBAs focus on business administration and financials in most cases. If your passion and skills are around technology and development then it may not be the best suited thing for you to change that focus. Focus on what you do well, not what you think others want and you will go further and faster.

Stephen Covey often uses the term circle of influence to describe what you control and what you do not. If you focus on what you influencce you can expand that influence, knowledge and experience. When you focus on things outside of your circle of influence or beyond your control you only end up getting frustrated and end up with less time and less energy to focus on the things that can help you and expand your circle of influence.

You have a limited amount of time and a limited amount of energy and spirit... use them for something that gives you more, not less.

My Recent Reading List

Over Christmas as well as the last little while I have read several books that will undoubtedly have an impact on my blogs over the next little while. So in the spirit of sharing (and encouragement of cheating) here is a quick list. If you are interested in reading them and taking
guesses on which posts entered the list of "I should post on that" feel free to send me email and I will confirm or deny. Of course I try to attribute anything that is direct quotes or go with a theme for a week so you will likely see these mentioned again.

Siddhartha - This is a book by Hermann Hesse about the journey of a man through his life. It is one filled with many levels of meaning and one of those books that you read and learn more about yourself than you expected.

Slack - Getting Past Burnout, Busywork, and the Myth of Total Efficiency this book by Tom
Demarco focuses on many of the challenges that face companies and leaders in the post-downsize, post-bubble work world. This book is a very easy read, fit for a two-three hour flight depending upon your reading rate. It tries to not just preach but also provide real world tools to fix concerns.

The 8th Habit - I have mentioned this book before and in fairness I have to say that
I am taking a while to go through it but it is not the fault of the book. The style is easy to read and the content is great. I have just had a lot going on and have taken breaks to read other books, read blogs, and play Fantasy Hockey. Being the latest in the series from Stephen
F. Covey and the gang at Franklin Covey crew you know that it is good stuff. This book
comes from the experience that the team there has had in teaching the The 7 Habits
to companies and individuals across the globe.

Along with these I have been reading lots of Blogs.