[Year 12 IT Apps] Qu A 15

[Adrian Janson]

Hi everyone,

I think that the 'calculating' thing is all a bit literal.  Personally, I
would store a postcode as a number which would then allow for range and type
checks.  For example, 3000 >= x <= 3999 

Yes, range checks are possible for text data types, and the above data type
would work.

However, 
'30' would also be valid
'3AAA' would also be a valid as would '39375734783'

I think the main point of this - is that if we cannot agree on a one
definitive type - then what we would hope our students would be able to do
is to be able to pick a type and justify its use.  If they can do that, then
they understand the concepts and the pros and cons.

BTW: The VITTA answer is not 'wrong' but not conclusive (in the future, I
think we will avoid all questions like this - although it certainly has
generated some good debate!)

Cheers,
Adrian Janson
VITTA President


-----Original Message-----
From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Geoff Moss
Sent: Wednesday, 14 November 2007 1:35 PM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Qu A 15

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
> > 
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