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Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 13:59:04 -0700
From: "Laura Stewart" <scotsmatrix@gmail.com>
To: derby-dev@db.apache.org, Camilla.Haase@sun.com
Subject: Re: Terminology question - are dblook, ij,
 and sysinfo Tools or Utilties?
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References: <9f40b500706081329m599f7b30i5b305d1e75d98d1f@mail.gmail.com>
	 <4669BF46.6080707@Sun.COM>

On 6/8/07, Kim Haase <Camilla.Haase@sun.com> wrote:
> In my experience, "tool" and "utility" are synonyms and can be used
> interchangeably. Of course, if we follow the elementary tech writing
> rule "Always use the same word to mean the same thing," we ought to
> choose one of them and use it consistently, but that may be too much to
> ask in community-generated docs. The merger of the GS and WWD books does
> give you a chance to do it right for these, though!
>
> Which you use I think depends on whether you prefer Anglo-Saxon
> monosyllables or Latinate polysyllables.
>
> HTH,
> Kim

Since we have an entire guide "Derby Tools and Utilities Guide"
devoted to these, it seems to me someone, somewhere felt that there
was a difference for Derby. I have seen them used interchangably too
(and don't have a preference since I can claim heritage from both the
Anglo-Saxons and Latins :-) but we should be consistent and use 1
term.

Since we are so close to the release candidate, I am going to just
leave things as they are and open a separate JIRA issue for changing
this and making it consistent in the Derby docs.  I just need some
feedback from derby-dev before I open the issue.

I'm hoping that someone will provide me with a rational for each term :-)
Laura

> Laura Stewart wrote:
> > I'm trying to be accurate in the Derby documentation when discussing
> > dblook, ij, and sysinfo.
> >
> > Are these "tools" or "utilities"?  Is there a difference between a
> > "tool" and a "utility"?
> >
> > Should one term apply to all of these or should we use different terms
> > depending on what it does?  For example, one of these simply dumps
> > info to the screen (sysinfo). Is that different than opening up a mini
> > application (ij)?
> >
> > I'd appreciate your options on the correct term to use to describe
> > each of these.
> >
>


-- 
Laura Stewart