This is a profoundly stupid article, as the statement 'all ravens are black' is equivalent to saying 'all non-ravens are non-black'. No information is contained in the second statement that is not contained in the first, and no information is contained in the first that is not contained in the second.

In the same way, a negative database does not contain any information a regular database contains, nor does a regular database contain any information a negative database contains. They are two equivalent ways of systemizing the same data. Most computers have an implicit regular database, in the sense each bit of memory is identified as unique, ie 0110 is different from 1001, even though both bytes contain the same number of zeros and ones, but the order matters when allocating data to memory.

Conclusion: negative databases are basically uninteresting.

I've heard this used in terms of anti-virus software. That is, instead of constantly identifying new viruses, you just identify every 'good' file on your computer. Then, any file that doesn't match is automatically destroyed. That way there are no new viruses that sneak by your software. Theoretically speaking anyway. Hence, this article is interesting, as are negative databases.

Conclusion: Oh Fucking Snap.

The whole raven thing is an example of a categorical syllogism that is used to test the validity of a premiss.

There are 256 categorical syllogisms, of which 15 are valid under Boolean logic. There are an additional 9 that are valis if Aristotalian logic is considered.

I have no idea what any of this has to do with the article at hand, but it's the sum of information I took away from a college logic class.

:/

256? sounds like hokum. although i admit that I was stoned through most of my college logic class.

as for the 'whitelist' approach, yes, it works.

mmm, pork

I'm not arguing against databases. I'm just saying negative databases are equivalent to databases. The only new thing here is the name.

My mind is all like whoa, guys.

Look you faygits, I'm telling you right now...

I LIEK PIE!