What is persistence? Almost all applications require persistent data. Persistence is one of the fundamental concepts in application development. If an information system didn�t preserve data entered by users when the host machine was powered off, the system would be of little practical use. When we talk about persistence in Java, we�re normally talking about storing data in a relational database using SQL. We start by taking a brief look at the technology and how we use it with Java. Armed with that information, we then continue our discussion of persistence and how it�s implemented in object-oriented applications.
This was taken from Hibernate In Action chapter 1. I thought it was interesting that the question was only answered through inference. It was never directly answered.
Well, it was: When we talk about persistence in Java, we�re normally talking about storing data in a relational database using SQL.
Everything else sounds pretty much like statments of importance of the subject, and plans for its further discussion. IMHO not everyone (myself included) would share authors definition of persistence, and that might cause an intuition in some readers, that something is wrong with the paragraph.
Originally posted by Dmitry Melnik: It was never directly answered
Well, it was: When we talk about persistence in Java, we�re normally talking about storing data in a relational database using SQL.
Everything else sounds pretty much like statments of importance of the subject, and plans for its further discussion. IMHO not everyone (myself included) would share authors definition of persistence, and that might cause an intuition in some readers, that something is wrong with the paragraph.
But the question wasn't What is Persistance in Java?...The chapter talks about Relational DBs, Understanding SQL and then eventually gets into Java specific information. This was section 1.1 and the focus suggests broadness in scope. The question was broad. If the author meant to be more specific the question should have been more specific.
The question was answered indirectly and, IMO, causes confusion to the reader. The mere fact that we are discussing it proves that.
The other interesting thing to note about this, well, the whole first chapter even, is that the author states that developers reading this book should already be familiar and comfortable with SQL and Databases but then droles on for a couple of sections about what a relational database is, what SQL is and goes over some key terms.
If we are supposed to know this comming in, why cover it again? If you already know SQL and Database programming and you don't know what persistance is, you have other problems. The author could have legitimatly skipped over the entire section 1.1 according to the Who Should Read This Book section.
Dmitry Melnik
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But the question wasn't What is Persistance in Java?
That was the only question in your post, and I don't have the book handy. I am intrigued now. What was the question then?
Originally posted by Dmitry Melnik: But the question wasn't What is Persistance in Java?
That was the only question in your post, and I don't have the book handy. I am intrigued now. What was the question then?
What is persistence? Look at my first post.
Dmitry Melnik
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What is persistence? Look at my first post.
Oh! That's right! So, it was a direct answer for a wrong question.
There is also a direct answer to the right question, but it happens to be too vague and open to individual interpretations: Persistence is one of the fundamental concepts in application development. [ August 04, 2004: Message edited by: Dmitry Melnik ]
Pauline McNamara
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Let's have some fun and turn this thread around...
Given that the question doesn't get answered all that well in the paragraph, what would be a more appropriate question/title to have before it?
Dmitry Melnik
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be a more appropriate question/title to have before it?
Why it's important for you to keep reading this book?
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