[Year 12 IT Apps] Data tables?

[Laurie Savage]

Boy, I'm only a month behind! I think the FileMaker trick of having
calculated fields (like DataPerfect many years ago) is partly
responsible for it not being typically used for large, critical
projects. Calculated fields introduce a lot of redundancy into the
structure for no real advantage to the end-user.

Laurie

Just recently, on Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 11:46:35AM +1100  in fact, Mark Kelly mentioned:
> 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
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>
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>
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-- 
Laurie Savage
====================================================================
Markbook/Moodle Coordinator::Pascoe Vale Girls College::03 9306 2544
====================================================================
You will live a long, healthy, happy life and make bags of money.