[tutoriald-design] D over an existing language?

[Brian O. - L. <mai...@qi...>]

Hello,

	I hope people here are still subscribed to this list - maybe a 
discussion (if nothing else) can spin-off from this.

	After reading a bit of C.J. Date's books (the manifesto, intro), I've 
been pondering how a D-type language would fit into a existing 
language. I see that there is the Duro library, but alas, I don't know 
C to grok it (going back to school to learn it though. :-) I am 
specifically interested in (even though not completely committed to, 
yet) implementing a relational library in Python (because it is my 
favorite language. :-)

	I think the most interesting things that can arise from such a library 
is:
		- the ability to create data types of arbitrary complexity (maybe 
through classes?
		- the ability to define relations via a DDL that enforces such things 
as the primary key requirement.
		- the ability to use the same "query language" within an application 
seamlessly as well as used in an ad-hoc query tool
		- portability - I would start on Berkeley DB (like Duro), but make it 
portable, especially in case a true relational database engine comes out
		- using relational algebra/calculus to express queries (no SQL - that 
language is a nuisance ... )
		- in line with the last one, easier to express queries.

	Given what is said by Date and others, a real implementation of the 
relational model will be a naturally superior alternative over SQL and 
I think it will particularly shine in application development. (I got 
that sense with Dataphor ... )
	
	Here is a *very* small implementation of relations:
		
	http://starship.python.net/crew/aaron_watters/kjbuckets/relalg.py

	There are some interesting ideas in here, in terms of implementation.

	I hope this spurs up a little conversation on the list, if nothing 
else.


Brian
	


----------------------------------------------------
Brian Olsen
Qinternet Corporation
Email: brian at qinternet dot com
----------------------------------------------------