[Year 12 IT Apps] Qu A 15

[Geoff Moss]

Hi Jeff

Range checks are possible in text data types too.

Geoff Moss
RMIT




> jslynn at optusnet.com.au wrote:
> 
> Keith.
> 
> I agree with you here regarding use of text where no calculations are 
> required. 
> 
> However, for Australian Postcodes, a range check may be a useful 
> technique, therefore number might be better. For phone numbers, I taught 
> my students that they could use either number or text, but that text was 
> better as it allows spaces, brackets for area codes, and generally 
> allows easier reading of the database field items. They could also apply 
> an input mask for the phone number to force users to comply with their 
> conventions.
> 
> Postcodes are a knottier problem, because many organisations now sell 
> products and services over the Internet, therefore allowance should 
> probably be made for overseas postcodes too - five digits for US zip 
> codes, letters and numbers for UK postcodes, etc. The case study must 
> specify if only Australian postcodes are to be allowed.
> 
> Jeff Lynn,
> Yeshivah and Beth Rivkah Colleges,
> St Kilda East.
> 
> 
> 
> > Keith Richardson <keithcr at fastmail.fm> wrote:
> > 
> > I have a beef about this topic.
> > Some years ago I attended an advanced Access three day course to get 
> my
> > head around this database program.
> > We were told in no uncertain way, that one should NOT use number as a
> > data type for phone numbers or postcodes etc. In fact it should only 
> be
> > used when you intend doing mathematical calculations with it's 
> contained
> > data further down the track.
> > Therefore, I choose A for Qu 15 (Part A), but in doing so remember one
> > or more of the VITTA practice ITA exams that indicated it should be
> > number.
> > What do others think?
> > Keith
> > Keith Richardson
> > ITA List Moderator
> > Head of ICT, Leibler Yavneh College
> > Elsternwick
> > Ph: 03.9528.4911
> > k.richardson at yavneh.vic.edu.au
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> > IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> > http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.auvce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html 
> - 
> > Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> > http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology 
> > Teachers Association Inc
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.auvce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html - 
> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology 
> Teachers Association Inc