[OT] large db question about no joins

[Martin P. Hellwig]

Daniel Fetchinson wrote:
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> Well, I gave the concrete example of zoo/cage/animal/leg because this
> *is* the business logic. I need to know for example the total number
> of animals, this is pretty understandable if you have a zoo. Or you
> mean that I should give another example?

It might be the business logic but not the process. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process

>> Using the business process I could probably
>> narrow down the scope quite a bit like, 
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> No, I'd like to have the exact number at any given time.
Fair enough, but this is then the *exact* scope you like to answer me in.
> 
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> Let's say I need to implement this on the google app engine, so I
> can't make too many choices on my own. On the GAE, how would I do
> this?
All other data modeling (e.g. EAV, relational, object orientated) will 
result in a structure requiring extra calculation when doing the query 
(and thus according your requirement isn't acceptable).

So I need to store the data in such a way that it is accessible before 
the query with the minimal amount of processing.

Thus the only thing left is writing a subroutine in my code which 
recalculates the amount of legs when there is a change in it and store 
it just as a pair value:
amount_of_legs = Positive Integer

The thing with bogus requirements for an imaginary example is that the 
solution is imaginary bogus too, leaving little room for applicability 
in the real world.

hth
-- 
mph