←back to thread

/dev/null is an ACID compliant database

(jyu.dev)
529 points swills | 3 comments | 23 Oct 25 21:28 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
Show context
charcircuit ◴[23 Oct 25 23:20 UTC] No.45688714[source]▶
/dev/null is not a database. By this logic is a hard disk a database, is a CD a database. No. They are storage mediums. You could store a database on them, but they themselves are not a database.

Considering there is no way to read back data written to /dev/null it will not be useful for storing database data.

replies(5): >>45688749 #>>45689087 #>>45689165 #>>45691172 #>>45691960 #
chrisweekly ◴[24 Oct 25 00:00 UTC] No.45689087[source]▶
seems you've missed the joke
replies(1): >>45689148 #
charcircuit ◴[24 Oct 25 00:08 UTC] No.45689148[source]▶
It's not a funny one if it was one. Of course something is going to be a bad database if it's not a database.
replies(4): >>45689483 #>>45689572 #>>45689796 #>>45691982 #
1. jfengel ◴[24 Oct 25 01:41 UTC] No.45689796[source]▶
It's not a great joke, to be sure. But the essence of it is that it's a good database, by relevant but inappropriate standards.
replies(1): >>45691503 #
2. tgv ◴[24 Oct 25 06:29 UTC] No.45691503[source]▶
Insufficient/incomplete rather than inappropriate, perhaps?
replies(1): >>45694577 #
3. jfengel ◴[24 Oct 25 13:45 UTC] No.45694577[source]▶
The problem with the joke, as I see it, is that it only works with a colloquial definition of ACID. If it worked with a formal definition, it would be funnier by having a twinge of insight.

It's as if the joke requires two steps away from reality: first to apply the definition to a domain where it doesn't apply, then mis-reading the definition to make it fit. Having to go two steps like that spoils the feeling of insight that makes a joke like this work.

The article doesn't belabor the gag, which is a point in its favor. It has to hit you with its punch line and then quit before it wears out its welcome.