Well you're right of course that web developers (and business analysts, and politicians, etc.) can absolutely get by for a staggeringly long time with novice-le

Well you're right of course that web developers (and business analysts, and politicians, etc.) can absolutely get by for a staggeringly long time with novice-level abilities. That problem is only getting worse as the tools get better. Luckily I don't have to judge the OP on that basis since that's what markets are for. And maybe someone else, who has tackled enough difficult problems over time to evolve a nuanced and technically informed opinion of various data modeling and management options, should write the response I mentioned. I'd argue there are plenty examples of that material available already. The OP, on the other hand, would be writing from the perspective of a professional user who might choose a tool off the shelf at the recommendation of a colleague, and whack it against the problem du jour to see if it works or not. This is a common enough approach that there is at least a chance that a followup would have some value. I can't really expect everyone who makes a living writing web applications to understand CS fundamentals, any more than I would expect it from chemical engineers or physicians. It is nice to be able to point representative members of that audience to an article that resonates with them, and not have to try to translate my opinions into similar language (with or without cat gifs). Edit: I actually think Journeyman would be a more appropriate term than novice.