I still don't see input controls as validation measures: input comes before validation in the information processing cycle (from the study design before the last one). Preventing the entry of invalid data (to me) is not the same as actively checking data for unreasonableness. Anyway, that's just me.<br>
<br>On the subject of radio buttons, since they are used to display stored data as well as to enter it, I regard them as a data <b>format</b> (as well as an input control).<br><br>As for what constitutes a data dictionary, I've seen dozens of styles from minimal (fieldname, type, size) to deluxe, with information like:<br>
<br>* Data element name (e.g. a field's name, like "Surname")<br>
* Short description<br>
* Data type (characters, numeric, etc.), size<br>
* Null value allowed: Null or non-existing data value may or may not be
allowed for an element.<br>
* Default value: Default value
may be a variable, like current date and time of the day<br>
* Allowed values and validation<br>
* Whether the field is a key field.<br>
* Formulas of calculated fields.<br>* Probably other things as well<br><br>I'd tend to agree that data formatting is not the sort of thing a data dictionary should have, since the formatting of the data could vary from place to place in the output (e.g. a date field could be shown as dd/mmm/yyyy in a list, but dddd dd mmmm, yyyy in a detailed form. It seems silly to describe <b>all</b> of the formatting usages in a data dictionary.<br>
<br>And just to muddy the waters a little, from my research I've found two types of data dictionaries:<br><ul><li>A <em>logical data dictionary</em> lays down what data is required in a general sense (e.g. "What data should be in a sales contract?")</li>
<li> A <em>physical data dictionary</em> design tool e.g. in the sales contract record there is a sale_date (type date), customer_ID (text, 10 characters, primary key) etc. </li></ul><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 5 April 2011 21:12, Matheson, Heath A <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:Matheson.Heath.A@edumail.vic.gov.au">Matheson.Heath.A@edumail.vic.gov.au</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">I agree with the concept that input masks, radio buttons etc fit under<br>
the "validation" umbrella which is stated in the study design as not<br>
being included at this stage of the course. I also agree with Mark's<br>
intuition on what the format of data is, the way the data is presented<br>
(entry box, drop down list, radio button etc) but I'm not sure that<br>
belongs in a data dictionary. It's certainly not something that jumps<br>
out at me on a quick Google search of data dictionaries.<br>
<font color="#888888"><br>
Heath<br>
</font><div class="im"><br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: <a href="mailto:sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au">sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au</a><br>
</div><div><div></div><div class="h5">[mailto:<a href="mailto:sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au">sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au</a>] On Behalf Of Esther Andrews<br>
Sent: Tuesday, 5 April 2011 7:53 PM<br>
To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List<br>
Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats<br>
<br>
This is what I tell my students:<br>
<br>
A radio button is a way to display data.<br>
The data is stored as a variable somewhere else.<br>
If you create a variable in your programming language or you create a<br>
field in a database, its type is not "radio button", its type is<br>
boolean. And you then have the option to display that data in a number<br>
of ways on forms.<br>
I allow students to list "radio buttton" as a method of validation of<br>
that boolean variable.<br>
<br>
I rant and rave to students about this every year.... Objects are NOT<br>
data! And they still get it wrong!<br>
<br>
Esther Andrews | Admin Systems Developer, IT and Maths Teacher<br>
Bendigo Senior Secondary College<br>
Box 545 | BENDIGO | Victoria 3552 Australia<br>
B +61 3 5443 1222 | F +61 3 5441 4548<br>
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From: <a href="mailto:sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au">sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au</a> [<a href="mailto:sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au">sofdev-bounces@edulists.com.au</a>] On<br>
Behalf Of Margaret King Iaquinto [<a href="mailto:iaquinto@ozemail.com.au">iaquinto@ozemail.com.au</a>]<br>
Sent: Tuesday, 5 April 2011 7:25 PM<br>
To: 'Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List'<br>
Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats<br>
<br>
Radio button yes/no goes into the data dictionary? To me, the radio<br>
button isn't data. But it holds the data.<br>
<br>
The radio button needs a name (talking about html here) and that name,<br>
along with its values, is shipped to PHP . That 'name' is the data that<br>
is listed in the data dictionary. So, perhaps its datatype is string<br>
since the values are "yes" or "no".<br>
<br>
Then the students can use a switch case structure to do stuff with<br>
(vague sounding - apologies) or a simple IF THEN ELSE.<br>
<br>
<br>
What do you think? I would love to have clarification on this.<br>
<br>
Maggie<br>
<br>
VK3CFI<br>
<br>
On Tue Apr 5 16:22 , Mark KELLY sent:<br>
<br>
I'd say (e.g.) for a date, format could be "dddd dd/mm/yyyy", or for<br>
floating point "2 decimal places", or Boolean Married? "Radio button<br>
yes/no"<br>
Formats specify how data are displayed.<br>
<br>
On 5 April 2011 17:32, Matheson, Heath A<br>
<<a href="mailto:Matheson.Heath.A@edumail.vic.gov.au">Matheson.Heath.A@edumail.vic.gov.au</a><UrlBlockedError.aspx>> wrote:<br>
Heya All,<br>
<br>
In the outcome 2 detailed example in the study design, "students will<br>
design a data dictionary that shows the required data items, a<br>
description of their purpose, their format, their size and their data<br>
type".<br>
<br>
What goes in the format field? Is it the data structure? Is it a range<br>
or acceptable values?<br>
<br>
I'm just not quite sure.<br>
<br>
Have a safe and happy holidays, hope you get lots of eggs and easter<br>
buns!<br>
<br>
Heath Matheson<br>
Mt Beauty<br>
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</div></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Mark Kelly<br>Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area<br>McKinnon Secondary College<br>McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia<br>Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253<br>
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<font>All generalisations are false, except this one.</font><br><br>