What is the Difference Between Implicit and Explicit?

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The main difference between implicit and explicit lies in the clarity and directness of the statements or information being referred to.

  • Explicit describes something that is clearly stated, leaving no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation. When something is explicit, there is no question as to what is being expressed or conveyed, and it is not implied or assumed. For example, explicit instructions on how to perform a task would be clearly outlined and easy to understand.
  • Implicit refers to something that is implied or indirectly stated, rather than being directly expressed. It often relies on word choice, tone, or other nonverbal indicators to convey a message. For instance, implicit information in a story might be understood through the characters' actions, experiences, and the context provided, even though it is not explicitly stated.

In summary:

  • Explicit information is clearly stated and leaves no room for ambiguity.
  • Implicit information is indirectly stated or implied, relying on context and other nonverbal cues for interpretation.

Comparative Table: Implicit vs Explicit

The main difference between implicit and explicit lies in how they are defined and used. Here is a table summarizing the differences between implicit and explicit:

Aspect Implicit Explicit
Definition Implicit refers to something that is understood without being explicitly stated or expressed. Explicit refers to something that is clearly and directly stated or expressed, leaving no room for confusion.
Flexibility Implicit measures in DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) offer less flexibility, as they are automatically created by Power BI and limited to certain functions. Explicit measures in DAX offer more flexibility, as you can write any DAX expression you want, including using functions like Calculate and filter functions.
Performance There is no performance difference between implicit and explicit measures in Power BI. Performance may vary depending on the specific use case and implementation.
SQL Joins Implicit joins are more prone to errors and difficult to understand, as they perform a CROSS JOIN by default and require the WHERE clause to apply join predicates. Explicit joins provide more control and clarity by specifying the join type and condition, making it easier to understand and maintain.
Indexing Implicit indexing is part of the table definition, while explicit indexing is created separately from the table definition.

In summary, implicit and explicit can refer to different concepts depending on the context. In general, implicit is associated with something that is understood without being explicitly stated, while explicit is associated with something that is clearly and directly stated.