Nuno, You're missing on the main quality of "generic" databases ;-): If you add a column to a table, it's development. If you insert a row in a table, it's "parameterization" and it justifies the fact that your COTS package can do everything including the kitchen sink. Moreover, in one case the job can be done by a (relatively low paid) developer, while in the second one it requires an overpriced functional consultant. Stéphane Faroult On Tue, 2006-01-10 at 18:57 +1100, Nuno Souto wrote: > Well, it's certainly what it was invented for: to avoid > the problems caused by "generic" databases. > And why those (the generic dbs) should never be allowed to > go ahead: they really solve nothing and only create longer > term problems. Then again, "long term" is something > contrary to modern "design" techniques, so take your pick.... > -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l