Although there is no absolute statement about a bit field adequately representing a boolean piece of data, 1 being true and 0 being false, that is exactly what the dotnet framework does. I doubt anybody would have used kilobytes to save a document stating something like "thou shalt use bit fields to store boolean data". Frankly, if your DBA won't see the obvious, you need to refer the point to a higher authority (a manager?) for arbitration. If such higher authority also does not see the obvious, then you have three options: (1) be miserable and refactor your business objects (2) fire your manager and hire a new one or (3) go work somewhere else (might be best for your mental health)! Good luck anyway.

One of the main reasons MS has growing difficulty in developing its new "OS" is that they keep inflating the definition of what is an OS. Once you have memory management, a file system, an IO subsystem, an API for it all, a program launching capability and some kind of command shell, you already have an OS. Once you start considering the Window Manager as part of the OS, well, all hell gets loose and you end up wanting to bundle a web browser, a chat program and a TV player in what you then call "OS". Of course, the more MS can convince the world an OS "ought" to include, the more they can inflate Windows to justify increasing the price of the basic bundle. Good for them if they get away with it, as long as they keep coming up with an occasional good thing (like DotNet, C# and ATLAS).