Directories vs. relational databases
 
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"A directory is just a special-purpose database" is a truism I hear everyday. It's usually spoken by someone who wants to use Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server or another relational database management system to store information about users, platforms, applications or infrastructure items that are normally stored in the directory. It's often a relational DBMS administrator or a programmer saying this.
On the other hand, I frequently am asked why financial or order entry data can't be stored in the directory to ease browsing the information. This often comes from directory or Web server administrators looking to ease the load on their servers or other resources (such as their own database administration skills). What both groups are forgetting is that a relational DBMS is also a "special-purpose database." We need to remember that a computer database is simply a file or group of files used to store data. A list of names and phone numbers written up in a text editor is a database, but it certainly isn't a directory or a relational DBMS. Every special-purpose database is designed and structured to perform its special purpose optimally. A relational DBMS is designed to let items of data be related to one another either permanently or on an ad hoc basis, while a directory service uses the object-oriented style of database (with its built-in hierarchy) to create a database supporting a tree-like view of the data. Using a directory for relational data or a relational DBMS for directory data is like using a hammer to cut wood: It can be done, but a real carpenter wouldn't do it.RELATED LINKS
Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. His most recent book is "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks" published by SAMS. Dave's company, Virtual Quill, provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more at Virtual Quill or by e-mail at info@vquill.com
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