One man’s GPL is another’s DSL and yet another’s API, http://martinfowler.com/bliki/DslBoundary.html

“Excel formulæ aren’t even Turing-complete” – yet they still can ’solve’ a huge range of problems, particularly when array formulae, named ranges and data tables are used.

As for “That doesn’t mean there is no objective measure of popularity.” – well as Fr. Jack Hackett would say “That would be an ecumenical matter!”

Tom

Any Turing-complete DSL, such as ECMAScript/JavaScript, is in some sense general-purpose, and over time it may become general-purpose. REXX and Perl followed that path, and JavaScript seems to be doing it too.

It’s true that the popularity we each perceive differs from real, objective popularity because of this network thing. That doesn’t mean there is no objective measure of popularity.

Excel formulæ aren’t even Turing-complete.

Yes of course, you’re right (most definitely in the cases of HTML and Excel formulae; CSVs and URLs? why stop there, why not microwave control panels, SKY remote controls,Windows GUI, plain ascii text files; and I think those responsible for EMACScript would object to their language being described as domain specific), but I did say, perhaps, so I can’t be sued

And popular, well like as in high-school, popularity tends to be a function of the networks you encounter in your daily life. We all have own worlds and mine is that of data as a business resource.

As for Excel formulae, I’m blinded by the fact that I’m so in awe of the spreadsheet as a general purpose tool, I don’t regard it as ‘domain specific’ but as the hammer to hit everything be it a nail or not!

And yes you are again right, SQL is awesome.

Tom

What a seriously great idea!

Martyn

I’m a techie and “part” business analyst so data is also my stock in trade. Data lies at the intersection of technology and business fields and is why I chose to style myself a datasmith. Most others I would class as fellow datasmiths tend to come from the business side of the house (like yourself) but many in IT have also seen the light (mainly as a result of the onward march of BI systems).

Perhaps we need to formalise datasmithing as a subject area common to both IT and Business training. Covering areas such as Spreadsheets, database design, SQL, OLAP, applied statistics, ETL, data quality and governance etc..

@Nicholas

Perhaps we should keep SQL’s power a secret, create a inner circle of SQL wizards. One statement to rule them all (crack of thunder, flash of lighting, evil laughter echoes through the land)

Tom

I think SQL may be one of the greatest successes of computing.

Let’s hope we see many more SQL:2009 specs!

Great Post. I just love this parting shot

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Understand a business’s data and you’ll not just understand the business as it currently operates but also how it operated in the past and its future potential
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

As you know, I’m an accounant and “part” techie, so it chimes – data is my stock in trade.

But.. Clive (@positivechurn) is a sales guy – and his first port of call is always the data.

Which is why we get on so well.

And why Severn Delta is so well run (even if I do say so myself).

Martyn