[Year 12 IT Apps] Qu A 15

Wed Nov 14 19:30:30 EST 2007

Hi Adrian

Using input masks and validation rules you can set the range type and ensure 
only numerical values are entered within a defined range.

I did a short search on the internet on the data type for phone numbers and 
authorative sites agreed that they should be text data type.  Most added 
that postcodes are generally entered as text data type, not because number 
wasn't appropriate, but that the postcode was not used in calculations. 
Also, because text is the defaulty data type, most databases tend to leave 
it as text.

This does not make one right or wrong on the choice in regard to postcodes.

Geoff Moss
RMIT

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Adrian Janson" <janson.adrian.a at edumail.vic.gov.au>
To: "'Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List'" 
<itapps at edulists.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 5:56 PM
Subject: RE: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Qu A 15

> 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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> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
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