David McGoveran
Encyclopedia
David McGoveran is a consultant, researcher, lecturer, and industry analyst
to the software industry; author of numerous books and articles in the fields of relational databases, transaction processing
, business intelligence
, business process management
, mathematics
, and physics
; and an inventor. He assesses software opportunities and risks for vendors, venture capitalists, and other investors; and occasionally serves as an expert in software intellectual property litigation.
and communication the University of Chicago
; followed by graduate studies in physics and psycholinguistics
at the University of Chicago and then Stanford University
from 1976 to 1979. Prior to founding the consulting firm of Alternative Technologies (1976) under the mentoring of H. Dean Brown
and Cuthbert Hurd
, he was employed by the Enrico Fermi Institute
, Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research at NASA
(1973–1974), Dow Chemical Research (1974), and University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics (1975–1976). He worked at SRI International
(1976–1979), his first consulting client. Prior to 1981, he taught electronics engineering in the Professional Engineering Institute at Menlo College
and was director of the Computer Science and Business Departments at Condie College, developing the school’s bachelor program in computer science.
His software engineering contributions include collaborative conferencing system (1978); multi-tier relational CIM (computer integrated manufacturing
) system (Fasttrack, 1982); relational access manager (1984–89); international funds transfer (1984); trading systems databases (1986–91); OLCP requirements (1986); an object-relational portfolio management (see investment management
) (1986–89); first Sybase
/SQL Server
PC client (1987); client-server API requirements (1988); object-relational API requirements (1990); query optimizer
requirements (1990); first middleware
market analysis (1991); Database Connectivity Benchmark
(see computing
) (1993); numerous high availability and scalable systems (1994–96); and designed BPMS products and established the BPM
category (1998–2000) with HP and IBM. As a consultant on databases, transaction processing, business process management, software engineering, and the software market, McGoveran has applied his work in many fields for clients such as AT&T
, Blue Cross, Digital Equipment, HP, IBM
, Microsoft
, MCI-Worldcom (see MCI Inc.
), Oracle Corporation
, and many others. He has chaired various professional conferences (1975–2001).
, linguistic logic—see computational semantics
), schizophrenia
, and database logic) has pervaded McGoveran’s career (1971–present). He worked with H. Pierre Noyes
(1986–1992) in the Theory Group at SLAC (Stanford University), making contributions to the discrete mathematical foundations of physics (e.g. bit-string physics
), and was invited to be Visiting Scholar for those years.
With Christopher J. Date
, he developed the Principle of Orthogonal Design
(POOD) and general algorithms found in The Third Manifesto
(Christopher J. Date, Hugh Darwen
) for updating virtual relations (e.g., view (database)
). His work on logic applied to relational databases and on design without “nulls” (see null (SQL)
) (1993) has been republished several times. Some of his work is discussed at Database Debunkings. Work on adaptive transaction models and a new data model
is ongoing.
Life Member (1983), American Mathematical Society
Life Member (1996), and IEEE Member (1978).
McGoveran was consulting editor for an international research journal (1975-6), associate editor for InfoDB (1990-4) and sr. technical editor of the eAI Journal/Business Integration Journal (1999–2006).
A partial list of David McGoveran’s and Alternative Technologies' Affiliates papers may be found at
and a sampling of publications may be downloaded from
Industry analyst
An industry analyst performs primary and secondary market research within an industry such as information technology, consulting or insurance. Analysts assess sector trends, create segment taxonomies, size markets, prepare forecasts, and develop industry models...
to the software industry; author of numerous books and articles in the fields of relational databases, transaction processing
Transaction processing
In computer science, transaction processing is information processing that is divided into individual, indivisible operations, called transactions. Each transaction must succeed or fail as a complete unit; it cannot remain in an intermediate state...
, business intelligence
Business intelligence
Business intelligence mainly refers to computer-based techniques used in identifying, extracting, and analyzing business data, such as sales revenue by products and/or departments, or by associated costs and incomes....
, business process management
Business process management
Business process management is a holistic management approach focused on aligning all aspects of an organization with the wants and needs of clients. It promotes business effectiveness and efficiency while striving for innovation, flexibility, and integration with technology. BPM attempts to...
, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
; and an inventor. He assesses software opportunities and risks for vendors, venture capitalists, and other investors; and occasionally serves as an expert in software intellectual property litigation.
Biography
David McGoveran majored in physics and mathematics, and minored in cognitionCognition
In science, cognition refers to mental processes. These processes include attention, remembering, producing and understanding language, solving problems, and making decisions. Cognition is studied in various disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science...
and communication the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
; followed by graduate studies in physics and psycholinguistics
Psycholinguistics
Psycholinguistics or psychology of language is the study of the psychological and neurobiological factors that enable humans to acquire, use, comprehend and produce language. Initial forays into psycholinguistics were largely philosophical ventures, due mainly to a lack of cohesive data on how the...
at the University of Chicago and then Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
from 1976 to 1979. Prior to founding the consulting firm of Alternative Technologies (1976) under the mentoring of H. Dean Brown
H. Dean Brown
Harold Dean Brown was a scientist in the United States. His fields ranged from physics and mathematics to computer software and philosophy.-Biography:Harold Dean Brown was born in North Dakota on August 13, 1927....
and Cuthbert Hurd
Cuthbert Hurd
Cuthbert Corwin Hurd was an American computer scientist and entrepreneur, who was instrumental in helping the International Business Machines Corporation develop its first general-purpose computers.-Life:...
, he was employed by the Enrico Fermi Institute
Enrico Fermi Institute
The Institute for Nuclear Studies was founded September, 1945 as part of the University of Chicago with Samuel King Allison as director. On November 20, 1955 it was renamed The Enrico Fermi Institute for Nuclear Studies...
, Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research at NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
(1973–1974), Dow Chemical Research (1974), and University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics (1975–1976). He worked at SRI International
SRI International
SRI International , founded as Stanford Research Institute, is one of the world's largest contract research institutes. Based in Menlo Park, California, the trustees of Stanford University established it in 1946 as a center of innovation to support economic development in the region. It was later...
(1976–1979), his first consulting client. Prior to 1981, he taught electronics engineering in the Professional Engineering Institute at Menlo College
Menlo College
Menlo College, often referred to as Menlo, is a private, four-year baccalaureate college specializing in business located in the Silicon Valley town of Atherton, California.-Campus:...
and was director of the Computer Science and Business Departments at Condie College, developing the school’s bachelor program in computer science.
His software engineering contributions include collaborative conferencing system (1978); multi-tier relational CIM (computer integrated manufacturing
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Computer-integrated manufacturing is the manufacturing approach of using computers to control the entire production process. This integration allows individual processes to exchange information with each other and initiate actions...
) system (Fasttrack, 1982); relational access manager (1984–89); international funds transfer (1984); trading systems databases (1986–91); OLCP requirements (1986); an object-relational portfolio management (see investment management
Investment management
Investment management is the professional management of various securities and assets in order to meet specified investment goals for the benefit of the investors...
) (1986–89); first Sybase
Sybase
Sybase, an SAP company, is an enterprise software and services company offering software to manage, analyze, and mobilize information, using relational databases, analytics and data warehousing solutions and mobile applications development platforms....
/SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
PC client (1987); client-server API requirements (1988); object-relational API requirements (1990); query optimizer
Query optimizer
The query optimizer is the component of a database management system that attempts to determine the most efficient way to execute a query. The optimizer considers the possible query plans for a given input query, and attempts to determine which of those plans will be the most efficient...
requirements (1990); first middleware
Middleware
Middleware is computer software that connects software components or people and their applications. The software consists of a set of services that allows multiple processes running on one or more machines to interact...
market analysis (1991); Database Connectivity Benchmark
Benchmark (computing)
In computing, a benchmark is the act of running a computer program, a set of programs, or other operations, in order to assess the relative performance of an object, normally by running a number of standard tests and trials against it...
(see computing
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
) (1993); numerous high availability and scalable systems (1994–96); and designed BPMS products and established the BPM
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
category (1998–2000) with HP and IBM. As a consultant on databases, transaction processing, business process management, software engineering, and the software market, McGoveran has applied his work in many fields for clients such as AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
, Blue Cross, Digital Equipment, HP, IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, MCI-Worldcom (see MCI Inc.
MCI Inc.
MCI, Inc. is an American telecommunications subsidiary of Verizon Communications that is headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia...
), Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
, and many others. He has chaired various professional conferences (1975–2001).
Research
Work on applications of mathematical logic (paradoxes, quantum logicQuantum logic
In quantum mechanics, quantum logic is a set of rules for reasoning about propositions which takes the principles of quantum theory into account...
, linguistic logic—see computational semantics
Computational Semantics
Computational semantics is the study of how to automate the process of constructing and reasoning with meaning representations of natural language expressions...
), schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, and database logic) has pervaded McGoveran’s career (1971–present). He worked with H. Pierre Noyes
H. Pierre Noyes
H. Pierre Noyes is an American nuclear physicist. He has been a member of the faculty at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University since 1962...
(1986–1992) in the Theory Group at SLAC (Stanford University), making contributions to the discrete mathematical foundations of physics (e.g. bit-string physics
Bit-string physics
Bit-string physics is an emerging body of theory which considers the universe to be a process of operations on strings of bits. Bit-string physics is often associated with A.F. Parker-Rhodes' combinatorial hierarchy, which is notable for its relationship with the electromagnetic and gravitational...
), and was invited to be Visiting Scholar for those years.
With Christopher J. Date
Christopher J. Date
Chris Date is an independent author, lecturer, researcher, and consultant, specializing in relational database theory.-Biography:Chris Date attended High Wycombe Royal Grammar School from 1951 to 1958 and received his BA in Mathematics from Cambridge University in 1962. He entered the computer...
, he developed the Principle of Orthogonal Design
Principle of Orthogonal Design
The Principle of Orthogonal Design was developed by database researchers David McGoveran and Christopher J. Date in the early 1990s, and first published "A New Database Design Principle" in the July 1994 issue of Database Programming and Design and reprinted several times...
(POOD) and general algorithms found in The Third Manifesto
The Third Manifesto
The Third Manifesto is Christopher J. Date's and Hugh Darwen's proposal for future database management systems, a response to two earlier Manifestos with the same purpose. The theme of the manifestos is how to avoid the 'object-relational impedance mismatch' between object-oriented programming...
(Christopher J. Date, Hugh Darwen
Hugh Darwen
Hugh Darwen is a computer scientist who was an employee of IBM United Kingdom from 1967 to 2004, and has been involved in the history of the relational model.- Work :...
) for updating virtual relations (e.g., view (database)
View (database)
In database theory, a view consists of a stored query accessible as a virtual table in a relational database or a set of documents in a document-oriented database composed of the result set of a query or map and reduce functions...
). His work on logic applied to relational databases and on design without “nulls” (see null (SQL)
Null (SQL)
Null is a special marker used in Structured Query Language to indicate that a data value does not exist in the database. Introduced by the creator of the relational database model, E. F. Codd, SQL Null serves to fulfill the requirement that all true relational database management systems support...
) (1993) has been republished several times. Some of his work is discussed at Database Debunkings. Work on adaptive transaction models and a new data model
Data model
A data model in software engineering is an abstract model, that documents and organizes the business data for communication between team members and is used as a plan for developing applications, specifically how data is stored and accessed....
is ongoing.
Affiliations
He co-founded Database Associates (now known as Intelligent Business Strategies) with Colin White, Richard Finkelstein, and Paul Winsberg (1990). From 1989-1996 he wrote and published (initially with Colin White) the Database Product Evaluation Reports. He founded the 60 member Enterprise Integration Council (1999–2002). He is an Association for Computing MachineryAssociation for Computing Machinery
The Association for Computing Machinery is a learned society for computing. It was founded in 1947 as the world's first scientific and educational computing society. Its membership is more than 92,000 as of 2009...
Life Member (1983), American Mathematical Society
American Mathematical Society
The American Mathematical Society is an association of professional mathematicians dedicated to the interests of mathematical research and scholarship, which it does with various publications and conferences as well as annual monetary awards and prizes to mathematicians.The society is one of the...
Life Member (1996), and IEEE Member (1978).
McGoveran was consulting editor for an international research journal (1975-6), associate editor for InfoDB (1990-4) and sr. technical editor of the eAI Journal/Business Integration Journal (1999–2006).
Works
McGoveran’s work appears in books, including:- Logic and Databases: The Roots of Relational Theory (2007) by C. J. Date ISBN 1-425-12290-6
- Database Management with Web Site Development Applications (2003) by G. Riccardi, ISBN 0-201-74387-6
- Introduction to Database Systems (2002, 2003) by C. J. Date, ISBN 0-321-18104-2 , ISBN 0-321-19784-4
- Bit-String Physics: A Finite and Discrete Approach to Natural Philosophy, (2001) Series on Knots and Everything, Vol. 27, by H. Pierre Noyes, et al. ISBN 9810246110
- Relational Database Writings, 1994-1997 (1998) by C. J. Date, Hugh Darwen, and D. McGoveran ISBN 0-201-39814-1
- Relational Database Writings 1991-1994 (1995) by C. J. Date ISBN 0-201-82459-0
- OLTP Handbook (1993) by Gary R. McClain (editor) ISBN 0-070-44985-6
- A Guide to SYBASE and SQL Server (1992), by D. McGoveran and C. J. Date ISBN 0-201-55710-X
- Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology, Vol. 45 (1991) and Encyclopedia of Microcomputers (1993) by Allen Kent (Editor), James G. Williams (editor) ISBN 0-824-72711-8
- Systems Science and Society (1980), B. H. Banathy (editor).
- Fuzzy Sets: Theory and Applications to Policy Analysis and Information Systems (1980), P.P. Wang and S.K. Chang (editors) ISBN 0-306-40557-1
Honors
Listed in Marquis Who’s Who (in the World, in America, of California, the West, and the Computing Industry), Personalities in America, and Men of Achievement; Invited member, IBM Gold DB Consultants, IBM Gold TP Consultants (one of five worldwide in both); invited Industry Analysts Platform; invited international lecturer; recipient Second Annual Alternative Natural Philosopher Award (see ANPA West ), 1990; multiple scholarships and awards.See also
- Christopher J. DateChristopher J. DateChris Date is an independent author, lecturer, researcher, and consultant, specializing in relational database theory.-Biography:Chris Date attended High Wycombe Royal Grammar School from 1951 to 1958 and received his BA in Mathematics from Cambridge University in 1962. He entered the computer...
- Hugh DarwenHugh DarwenHugh Darwen is a computer scientist who was an employee of IBM United Kingdom from 1967 to 2004, and has been involved in the history of the relational model.- Work :...
- Fabian PascalFabian PascalFabian Pascal is a consultant to large software vendors such as IBM, Oracle Corporation, and Borland, but is better known as an author and seminar speaker. Born in Romania, Pascal lives in the San Francisco, CA area of the US, and works in association with Christopher J...
- Nikos LorentzosNikos LorentzosNikos Lorentzos is a Greek professor of Informatics. He is a specialist on the Relational Model of Database Management, having made significant contributions in the field of temporal databases, where he has co-authored an important book with Hugh Darwen and Christopher J Date.- Bibliography : , . ...
- POODPoodPood , is a unit of mass equal to 40 funt . It is approximately 16.38 kilograms . It was used in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Pood was first mentioned in a number of documents of the 12th century....
(Principle of Orthogonal DesignPrinciple of Orthogonal DesignThe Principle of Orthogonal Design was developed by database researchers David McGoveran and Christopher J. Date in the early 1990s, and first published "A New Database Design Principle" in the July 1994 issue of Database Programming and Design and reprinted several times...
) - POFN (Principle of Full Normalization)
- The Third ManifestoThe Third ManifestoThe Third Manifesto is Christopher J. Date's and Hugh Darwen's proposal for future database management systems, a response to two earlier Manifestos with the same purpose. The theme of the manifestos is how to avoid the 'object-relational impedance mismatch' between object-oriented programming...
- D (data language specification)D (data language specification)D is a set of requirements for what Christopher J. Date and Hugh Darwen believe a relational database query language ought to be like. It is proposed in their book The Third Manifesto.-Overview:...
External links
A partial list of David McGoveran’s and Alternative Technologies' Affiliates papers may be found at
and a sampling of publications may be downloaded from