[Year 12 IT Apps] a formatting "comment"..Kent
Mark Kelly
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
Tue Aug 11 14:53:23 EST 2009
Filemaker does everything Access can do in terms of relationships. FMP
version 1 was basically a flat-file toy, but full relational powers
appeared by (I believe) v2.
Filemaker can also access data through a string of relationships. For
example, if table A is related to table B, and table C is related to
table B then table A can access related data in table C in a sort of
"pass-through" manoeuvre. I'm not sure if this is standard behaviour
for RDBMS.
I'm definitely not an evangelist for Apple products, by the way, but I
do have a regard for FMP. It's not perfect by any means: some basic
little limitations have annoyed the stuffing out of me since version 3,
e.g. the inability to make objects conditionally invisible, and the
inability to search all scripts for the use of a particular orphaned
variable or field. (The 'Advanced' version of FMP does allow this, sort
of, through a database report, but it's still not easy to use.)
Anyway, the reason I like FMP is its RAD nature. By drag-and-drop
scripting, complex automation is made easier (no command/function
names/syntax to memorise) yet the power is there for very complex
operations.
Now it also has local and global variables, indexed arrays [aka
repeating fields whose repetitions can be addressed using a variable],
looping (admittedly primitive, but functional), conditional formatting,
easy validation and powerful calculated fields. These, BTW, are defined
and referred to as fields rather than being created ad hoc in queries.
I'm now starting to play a bit with SQL and PHP so we'll see how that
goes...
Laurie Savage wrote:
> Filemaker has been around so long that its conventions should probably be
> respected by the examiners. Although (and I'm just thinking out loud here)
> is it really a RDBMS? To what extent does it follow the Codd model? Even
> though application development is fast & simple, normalisation and keys were
> handled strangely by FM - I'm not sure, but would it be standard practice to
> have an FM sheet that looked like ::StudentID::TaskID::Grade:: ? I haven't
> developed with FMPro since version 4 so I might be talking through my ****.
>
> Laurie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
> Sent: Tuesday, 11 August 2009 11:09 AM
> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] a formatting "comment"..Kent
>
> You could well be right there, Laurie. They are terms not familiar to
> Filemaker users, however.
>
> I train my kids to translate Access terms to and from Filemaker
> nomenclature, just to be safe.
>
> Laurie Savage wrote:
>> I think the terms Query and Report are generic and predate Access by
>> several years. Before Access came along Dbase and Paradox were using
>> this terminology back in the days of DOS, Crystal Reports (Windows)
>> was querying databases to format reports, and SQL (Structured Query
>> Language) has been with us a long time.
>>
>> Laurie Savage
>> PVGC
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
>> [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au]
>> On Behalf Of Mark Kelly
>> Sent: Sunday, 9 August 2009 2:12 PM
>> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] a formatting "comment"..Kent
>>
>> VCAA cannot prescribe software used in outcomes. If they DO decide to
>> do so, they must publish the prescribed software as they do with
>> Software Development's approved programming languages.
>>
>> They MUST accept any answer that is correct for ANY available software
>> product: spreadsheet, DBMS, web editor etc.
>>
>> They MUST NOT ask questions that are specific to any one of the
>> available varieties of software products (e.g. Access, Excel),
>> including the esoteric terminology used by them.
>>
>> They'd better not ask another Access-specific question this year. The
>> very mention of "queries" or "reports" is too brand-specific. It
>> seriously disadvantages Filemaker Pro users, for example.
>>
>> It worries me how they assume a particular family or brand of software
>> is "standard" and merrily ask questions assuming that EVERYONE uses
>> that family or brand.
>>
>> It's wrong and must stop.
>>
>> I feel better now.
>>
>> Kent Beveridge wrote:
>>> If I may, an observation...
>>> Personally, I am a "majority Microsoft" product user, not by desire
>>> but
>> just essentially as that is what my employers (the various schools of
>> my teaching time..) have had available to use for my I.T. classroom
> ramblings.
>>> Surely the VCAA can be flexible enough to allow the examiners to mark
>>> as
>> 'correct' the essentials of formulae presented to them by students.
>> What I mean is, what if the students have NEVER used Microsoft or APPLE
> products?
>> Surely they shouldnt be penalised when in fact their solution would
>> work on their "flavor" of application software (eg open source
>> spreadsheet or other market available alternative).
>>> If we are to produce flexible and thinking students for employers
>>> then we
>> must allow them to provide solutions appropriate to their working
>> environments.
>>> Case in point: Applications developers in the commercial workforce
>>> may use
>> a program that is nothing like Microsoft and yet will do the same job
>> most efficiently on the mainframe in the workplace. I ask you
>> VCAA...how many schools out there have a mainframe costing millions of
>> bucks that runs the exact same formats and conventions of Microsoft on all
> their applications?
>> Lets get real here with our exam expectations on the students and
>> allow them some flexibility with their answers!
>>>
>>>
>>> Kent.
>>>
>>> Kent Beveridge,
>>> St. Brigids CSC, Horsham.
>>> Ph (03) 5382 3545
>>> http://www.stbc.vic.edu.au/
>>> kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
>>> "This email and any attachments may be confidential. You must not
>> disclose or use the information in this email if you are not the
>> intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
>> notify us immediately and delete the email and all copies. The School
>> does not guarantee that this email is virus or error free. The
>> attached files are provided and my only be used on the basis that the
>> user assumes all responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence
>> resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the attached files,
>> whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not. The content
>> and opinions in this email are not necessarily those of the School."
>>> ________________________________
>>>
>>> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Roland Gesthuizen
>>> Sent: Sat 8/8/2009 2:02 PM
>>> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Examination reports
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Yes, it isnt so much as they came up with something different or that
>>> they have invented a new standard. There is an open standards group
>>> that is trying to improve the exchange of recalculated formulas in
>>> spreadsheets and I suspect that is what they have used. Google Docs
>>> uses this format too. Let me check. Yep .. works with double quotes.
>>>
>>> Curious I did not directly spot this before as I jump across between
>>> XLS, ODC and GoogleDocs. Shows how plastic our minds are to these
>>> subtle changes. I guess when it flags an error, I just thump my
>>> forehead to shake a neuron loose and amend the formula with either
>>> single or double quotes. REM hmmm
>>>
>>> Regards Roland
>>>
>>> 2009/8/7 Robert <robert at yinnar.com>:
>>>> And I have just checked Open Office. Different again.
>>>>
>>>> Requires semicolons rather than commas as separators between items,
>>>> eg
>>>>
>>>> =IF(C2>40;"yes";"no")
>>>>
>>>> ?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Robert Hind (Semi-retired)
>>>> Ashwood and Traralgon
>>>> robert at yinnar.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert" <robert at yinnar.com>
>>>> To: <itapps at edulists.com.au>
>>>> Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 3:50 PM
>>>> Subject: Fw: [Year 12 IT Apps] Examination reports
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Whoops! I missed out one (double straight) quote :-)
>>>>>
>>>>> Should have read:
>>>>>
>>>>> And can I add to Mark's message by noting that Excel does not like
>>>>> "smart quotes", or curly quotes but only straight quotes, ie
>>>>>
>>>>> =IF(C2>40,"YES"," ")
>>>>>
>>>>> Robert Hind (Semi-retired)
>>>>> Ashwood and Traralgon
>>>>> robert at yinnar.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert" <robert at yinnar.com>
>>>>> To: "Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List"
>>>>> <itapps at edulists.com.au>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 3:33 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Examination reports
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> And can I add to Mark's message by noting that Excel does not like
>>>>>> "smart quotes", or curly quotes but only straight quotes, ie
>>>>>>
>>>>>> =IF(C2>40,"YES," ")
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Pedantic? Yes! But Excel, and other apps, will only accept exactly
>>>>>> what they have been programmed to expect.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Robert Hind (Semi-retired)
>>>>>> Ashwood and Traralgon
>>>>>> robert at yinnar.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Kelly"
>>>>>> <kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au>
>>>>>> To: "Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List"
>>>>>> <itapps at edulists.com.au>
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 1:26 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Examination reports
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Examiners' report, ITA Q12b:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Quote
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Few students could correctly write the formula for the IF
>>>>>>> statement =IF(C2>40, 'YES',' ').
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> End Quote
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> And fewer examiners could either, apparently: double quotes
>>>>>>> rather than single quotes are needed (at least in Excel, which is
>>>>>>> the undeclared standard for all spreadsheet questions in the exam).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It does bug me when a commentary on what is correct and what is
>>>>>>> not gets it wrong.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Christophersen, Paula P wrote:
>>>>>>>> Dear colleagues
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In case you are not aware, the examination reports for the 2008
>>>>>>>> exams in IT apps and Software development are available at the
>>>>>>>> following addresses.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/it-applications/
>>>>>>>> e
>>>>>>>> xams.ht
>>>>>>>> ml#H2N10037
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/softwaredevel/ex
>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> ms.html
>>>>>>>> #H2N10037
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Regards
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Paula
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Paula Christophersen
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ICT Curriculum Manager
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> VCAA
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 41 St Andrews Place
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> EAST MELBOURNE 3002
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> (03) 9651 4378
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential.
>>>>>>>> If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies.
>>>>>>>> Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and
>>>>>>>> defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether
>>>>>>>> caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting
>>>>>>>> directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our
>>>>>>>> liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments.
>>>>>>>> Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the
>>>>>>>> individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department
>>>>>>>> of Education and
>> Early Childhood Development.
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Mark Kelly
>>>>>>> Manager - Information Systems
>>>>>>> McKinnon Secondary College
>>>>>>> kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
>>>>>>> McKinnon Rd, McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia Direct line /
>>>>>>> Voicemail: 8520 9085 Fax +613 9578 9253
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
>>>>>>> <http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au/>
>>>>>>> IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com <http://vceit.com/>
>>>>>>> Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Why do people mis-spell 'grammar' and mispronounce 'pronuniciation'?
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> http://www.edulists.com.au <http://www.edulists.com.au/> - FAQ,
>>>>>>> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IT Applications Mailing List
>>>>>>> kindly supported by
>>>>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4
>>>>>>> .html
>> - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>>>>>>> http://www.vitta.org.au <http://www.vitta.org.au/> - VITTA
> Victorian
>> Information Technology
>>>>>>> Teachers Association Inc
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> http://www.edulists.com.au <http://www.edulists.com.au/> - FAQ,
>>>>>> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IT Applications Mailing List
>>>>>> kindly supported by
>>>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.
>>>>>> html
>> - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>>>>>> http://www.vitta.org.au <http://www.vitta.org.au/> - VITTA Victorian
>> Information Technology
>>>>>> Teachers Association Inc
>>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> http://www.edulists.com.au <http://www.edulists.com.au/> - FAQ,
>>>>> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IT Applications Mailing List
>>>>> kindly supported by
>>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.h
>>>>> tml -
>> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>>>>> http://www.vitta.org.au <http://www.vitta.org.au/> - VITTA Victorian
>> Information Technology Teachers
>>>>> Association Inc
>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> http://www.edulists.com.au <http://www.edulists.com.au/> - FAQ,
>>>> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IT Applications Mailing List
>>>> kindly supported by
>>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.ht
>>>> ml -
>> Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>>>> http://www.vitta.org.au <http://www.vitta.org.au/> - VITTA Victorian
>> Information Technology Teachers
>>>> Association Inc
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
>>> http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au <http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au/>
>>>
>>> "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
>>> change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
>>> --Margaret Mead
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> http://www.edulists.com.au <http://www.edulists.com.au/> - FAQ,
>>> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IT Applications Mailing List kindly
>>> supported by
>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html
>> - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>>> http://www.vitta.org.au <http://www.vitta.org.au/> - VITTA Victorian
>> Information Technology Teachers Association Inc
>>>
>>>
>>> This message has been scanned for malware by Websense.
>>> www.websense.com _______________________________________________
>>> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
>>> IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
>>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.htm
>>> l
>>> - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>>> http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
>>> Teachers Association Inc
>> --
>> Mark Kelly
>> Manager - Information Systems
>> McKinnon Secondary College
>> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia Direct line: 8520 9085
>> School Phone +613 8520 9000
>> School Fax +613 9578 9253
>> kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
>>
>> Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au IT Lecture notes:
>> http://vceit.com
>> Moderator: ITA Mailing List
>>
>> Some days you're the pigeon. Some days you're the statue.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IT
>> Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/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.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html
>> - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
>> http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology
>> Teachers Association Inc
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager - Information Systems
> McKinnon Secondary College
> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia Direct line / Voicemail: 8520
> 9085 School Phone +613 8520 9000 School Fax +613 9578 9253
> kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
>
> Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au IT Lecture notes:
> http://vceit.com
> Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List
>
> RealMenDon'tNeedSpacebars.
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe IT
> Applications Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/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.au/vce/studies/infotech/itapplications3-4.html - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
> http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc
>
>
--
Mark Kelly
Manager - Information Systems
McKinnon Secondary College
kel AT mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
McKinnon Rd, McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085 Fax +613 9578 9253
Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List
Why do people mis-spell 'grammar' and mispronounce 'pronuniciation'?
More information about the itapps
mailing list