From: | Mike Mascari <mascarm(at)mascari(dot)com> |
---|---|
To: | Bruce Momjian <pgman(at)candle(dot)pha(dot)pa(dot)us> |
Cc: | Peter Eisentraut <peter_e(at)gmx(dot)net>, Tom Lane <tgl(at)sss(dot)pgh(dot)pa(dot)us>, PostgreSQL Development <pgsql-hackers(at)postgresql(dot)org> |
Subject: | Re: Confusing terminology |
Date: | 2002-01-18 21:45:16 |
Message-ID: | 3C48976C.EACA939A@mascari.com |
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Lists: | pgsql-hackers |
Bruce Momjian wrote:
>
> > > After receiving a connection request, the postmaster spawns
> > > a backend process to handle that client session.
> >
> > This is OK, because it's true: There's a new process and it's at the
> > backend side of the wire. (Actually, a session is something that exists
> > between a client and a server.) What I don't like is language like "how
> > many backends are active on this database?" -- It's one: PostgreSQL. It
> > would be correct to say "how many (PostgreSQL) backend *processes* are
> > active...", or maybe just "how many clients are connected to this
> > database".
>
> Or how many sessions. That seems to be the best wording unless you want
> to highlight the existance of backend processes.
>
> I am not sure I agree that there is only one backend running, well maybe
> I see your point but it seems a little confusing. We used the term
> 'backend' with Ingres and it always meant your backend process.
>
> > > Maybe it's time for someone to prepare an "official" glossary that sets
> > > out all these terms carefully, so that people will have something to
> > > refer to when they're trying to pick a word to use.
> >
> > Yeah, I think I'd like to set something like this up as part of the
> > program message style guide that I've talked about recently.
>
> There is a crude attempt in the FAQ. Maybe we can add there.
What about "relation" vs. "table"?
CREATE TABLE foo(key integer);
ERROR: Relation 'foo' already exists
I realize the historical context of the word, but it flies in the face
of the language.
Mike Mascari
mascarm(at)mascari(dot)com
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