• I have seen similar attempts at No Relations methodology before by DBAs. Rarely does a No Relations practice ensure data quality as can be achieved with normalization and referential integrity.

    The failure of Bereznuk's approach is the reliance on GUIDs for 2 reasons. Using GUIDs as an indexing means is a storage and performance hit. Using GUIDs as a default key for any table is a poor substitute for determing a logical key for an entity.

    As a consultant, I've seen saw plenty of dysfunctional enterprise database systems due to some smart DBA using similar freeform tactics. The goal may be for ease, flexibility, whatever; but the result is typically an undocumented repository that is difficult to interface with.

    -David Hedrick Skarjune