Books by Robin Bloor

There has never been a universal algebra of data. Mathematics has been widely employed by software in many ways: numerical analysis, statistics, algorithms, mathematical modeling, and so on, but it has never been used to formally define data in all its variety.This changed when mathematical research into data algebra-carried out for Algebraix Data Corporation by one of the authors of this book-matured and was tested in an extensive range of data management, data integration, and performance optimization contexts. The purpose of this book is to explain that data algebra.The book is undeniably and unashamedly a mathematics text. However, realizing that the readership would likely include many software developers and users as well as mathematicians, the book is written to be as accessible as possible to anyone with some mathematical skills. As such, this is not your grandfather's mathematics text. Between the various set theory assertions, expressions, and equations flows a narrative that is both surprising and entertaining.The subtitle of the book, A Foundation for the Data Economy, is not hyperbole. The mathematical definition of data, and the various set theoretical operations and functions that can be applied to it, provide a new approach to data. It will, in time, become the natural foundation for the emerging data economy that is already growing swiftly.

Words You Don't Know takes the reader on a spirited romp through the dusty corridors of the English language. In 23 chapters and 202 pages, author Robin Bloor shines a light on nearly 300 of the least known words in the language, illuminating the history and mystery of each in short, humorous essays. He has reached back in time and selected some of the most obscure and fascinating words the reader has likely never encountered: words that span the centuries, from the time of Aristotle to the time of Google; words on the verge of extinction and words being coined right now. In each of the 23 chapters, the author weaves a theme around 10 of these words. Each humorous story is unique. The reader will discover rare words, swear words, long words, wrong words, curse words, terse words, legal words, regal words, tech words, sex words, eponyms, retronyms, nonsense words and words with limericks - even words about words! The author's sharp wit, playfulness, and British charm lend each essay a special perspective that is guaranteed to both entertain and enlighten the word lover in every reader.