&gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; This is principally to minimise structural constraints
&gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; where all places in a relation must be filled,
&gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; when some are not known.
&gt; &gt; &gt; &gt;
&gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; This makes no sense to me whatever.
&gt; &gt; &gt;
&gt; &gt; &gt; This makes good sense to me.
&gt; &gt; &gt; What I hear Matthew indicating is a preference
&gt; &gt; &gt; akin to a preference for a normalized database.
&gt; 
&gt; I forget where this bit started, so I will j