WhyDontScientistsUseDatabases.PDF

Why Don’t Scientists Use Databases? Barrodale Computing Services Ltd. Why Don’t Scientists Use Databases? Executive Summary Most scientists seem to avoid using databases. In this paper we examine twelve of the principal reasons given by scientists for preferring flat files and/or more structured files (such as NetCDF or HDF5). We then explain what database extension tools we have available for addressing some of these concerns, and what further changes are necessary in database management technology and practices in order to address the remaining concerns. 执行总结 许多研究人员避免使用数据库。本文我们将来细查研究人员倾向于用简单文件或者比较有 结构的文件（如NetCDF ，HDF5）的十二个主要原因，然后我们来解释哪些问题可以用我们 已有的数据库扩展工具来解决，以及如何来进一步地改进数据库管理技术来解决剩余的一些问题。 Introduction Database management systems (DBMSs) are ubiquitous – in the world of business at least. However, we have seen much resistance by scientists to the use of DBMSs. Several authors (see for example [Maier and Vance, 1993], [Gray, 2005], [Buneman, 2002]) have given reasons for this resistance, but we’ve listened to even more arguments than those stated in these references. This 11document first lays out a dozen opinions that we have heard from scientists who shun databases in favor of traditional files, be they flat files or more structured files such as NetCDF or HDF5. Then, beginning on page 5, we address each of these concerns, criticizing the ones that we feel are unfounded and, for the ones that are legitimate, explaining either what tools we can bring to bear right now or what changes in database management technology and practices are still required before DBMSs can become more scientist-friendly. - 1 - Why Don’t Scientists Use Databases? Barrodale Computing Services Ltd. Twelve Reasons We Hear From Scie