[Year 12 IT Apps] Data tables?

[Kevork Krozian]

Hi Mark,

I did a search for "data table" in the whole study design 1 - 4 and here are the hits  :

IT Apps -    SAC 31 KK : design tools including Input-Process-Output charts, data tables, structure charts, annotated diagrams/
mock-ups, layout diagrams;

SD --     SAC 32 KK:  methods of expressing software design using data tables and algorithms, including an overview
of flow charts, pseudocode, Nassi-Shneiderman diagrams, object descriptions and a detailed
understanding of one of them;

SD --     SAC 32 KSkills :  interpret the design specifications by representing processes in the form of algorithms and data
structures in the form of a data table;

SD --     SAC 41 KSkills :  represent specifications in the form of algorithms and data tables;

  Based on this I think the meaning is the design of a database file of which there may be one or more tables ( eg. relational database ). . Note, " ...  representing processes in the form of algorithms and data structures in the form of a data table;"  

 I think the meaning is of a design tool in which a calculated field would not be shown as it is considered to be one that can be done by the processor in a query rather than stored in a table. While calculated fields can be stored, the conventional wisdom is that they are not efficient when used in a field, but ok in a query or view.

 
  Not sure if this helped or confused more.

Kind Regards



   

Kevork Krozian
IT Manager , Forest Hill College
k.krozian at fhc.vic.edu.au
http://www.fhc.vic.edu.au
Mobile: 0419 356 034

>>> Mark Kelly <kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au> 27/02/2009 11:46 am >>>
But Filemaker has calculated fields, which are formula-based and created 
and stored with other normal fields in a table.  You can nominate 
whether you want the calculated field data to be stored or recalculated 
as needed.


Matt Trathen wrote:
> I think it means that "database tables *should not* hold
> formulas" as data that can be calculated from other fields would be 
> redundant.
>  
>  
>  
>  
> /*Mr Matt Trathen*/
> //Maths and ICT Teacher
> 
> *St Leonard's College*
> *Brighton Campus
> *163 South Road Brighton East  VIC  3187
> *t* (+61 3) 99099316
> *f* (+61 3) 95923439
> 
> *www.stleonards.vic.edu.au <http://www.stleonards.vic.edu.au/>*
> 
>  
> 
> 
>  >>> Mark Kelly <kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au> 27/02/2009 10:49 >>>
> You notice something new every day...
> 
> The ITA study design refers to "KK3.1.12 - design tools including ...
> data tables, structure charts..."
> 
> Now, I can find data structure tables and data structure charts in the
> texts - but surely 'data tables' are just tables - with data in them.
> Those are not design tools.
> 
> The Potts text's discussion seems to equate 'data structure diagrams'
> with Entity Relation Diagrams, showing the relationships between tables
> in a database.  Fair enough as a design tool.
> 
> It describes 'data structure tables' like data dictionaries - defining a
> table's field names, types, validation rules etc.  Also fair enough.
> 
> It also somewhat worryingly says (p43) that "database tables cannot hold
> formulas. Calculations can only be performed in objects such as queries,
> forms and reports" - tell that to a Filemaker Pro database developer!
> Very Access-centric!
> 
> In brief, do you clever folk reckon the study design really means data
> tables, or is it VCAA secret code for 'data structure tables'?  There's
> a pretty big difference.
> 
> Perhaps Paula can elucidate...
> 
> -- 
> Mark Kelly
> Manager - Information Systems
> McKinnon Secondary College


-- 
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 

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