[Year 12 IT Apps] Data tables?

Fri Feb 27 14:25:15 EST 2009

Hi guys,

I was glad to see this raised, as I had worked the same question over in
my mind. To me, a data table is the most basic object within a database,
it isn't a visual tool at all. I told my students that I was assuming in
reference to ITA AOS1 Key knowledge #12 that a "data table" was to be
understood as equivalent to a data dictionary.

Here and in some other places the VCAA documentation is not transparent -
to me, at least. Another couple of instances are ITA AOS1 KK4 and KK8. KK4
speaks of "a problem-solving methodology involving analysis, design,
development, testing, implementation and evaluation" - six steps, but the
glossary has a seven-step methodology which includes testing. Which am I
supposed to teach? KK8 is about "naming conventions to support efficient
use of databases". Does this mean the names given to the database file
itself and the system of directories and sub-directories where it is
located, etc, or the naming conventions which are applied to database
objects such as tables, queries, etc. Again with my students I
acknowledged that I found the KK ambiguous, but that I was going to take
it to refer primarily to the objects internal to the database.

In looking to a new course, I hope there will be just that little bit more
guidance and clarity. Like others, I don't want to be reliant on the
interpretation offered in textbooks; I do want to be more confident that
my own understanding of the course's intention is correct. Of course, if
it's my understanding that is at fault, I'd be glad of any correction
offered.

Alex Hopkins
Bayside Christian College,
Baxter

> 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
>
> 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
>