[Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats

[Matheson, Heath A]

I agree with the concept that input masks, radio buttons etc fit under
the "validation" umbrella which is stated in the study design as not
being included at this stage of the course. I also agree with Mark's
intuition on what the format of data is, the way the data is presented
(entry box, drop down list, radio button etc) but I'm not sure that
belongs in a data dictionary. It's certainly not something that jumps
out at me on a quick Google search of data dictionaries.

Heath

-----Original Message-----
From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Esther Andrews
Sent: Tuesday, 5 April 2011 7:53 PM
To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats

This is what I tell my students:

A radio button is a way to display data.
The data is stored as a variable somewhere else.
If you create a variable in your programming language or you create a
field in a database, its type is not "radio button", its type is
boolean. And you then have the option to display that data in a number
of ways on forms.
I allow students to list "radio buttton" as a method of validation of
that boolean variable.

I rant and rave to students about this every year.... Objects are NOT
data! And they still get it wrong!

Esther Andrews | Admin Systems Developer, IT and Maths Teacher
Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Box 545 | BENDIGO | Victoria  3552   Australia
B +61 3 5443 1222 | F  +61 3 5441 4548
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________________________________
From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au [sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] On
Behalf Of Margaret King Iaquinto [iaquinto at ozemail.com.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 5 April 2011 7:25 PM
To: 'Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats

Radio button yes/no goes into the data dictionary? To me, the radio
button isn't data. But it holds the data.

The radio button needs a name (talking about html here) and that name,
along with its values, is shipped to PHP . That 'name' is the data that
is listed in the data dictionary. So, perhaps its datatype is string
since the values are "yes" or "no".

Then the students can use a switch case structure to do stuff with
(vague sounding - apologies) or a simple IF THEN ELSE.


What do you think? I would love to have clarification  on this.

Maggie

VK3CFI

On Tue Apr 5 16:22 , Mark KELLY sent:

I'd say (e.g.) for a date, format could be "dddd dd/mm/yyyy", or for
floating point "2 decimal places", or Boolean Married? "Radio button
yes/no"
Formats specify how data are displayed.

On 5 April 2011 17:32, Matheson, Heath A
<Matheson.Heath.A at edumail.vic.gov.au<UrlBlockedError.aspx>> wrote:
Heya All,

In the outcome 2 detailed example in the study design, "students will
design a data dictionary that shows the required data items, a
description of their purpose, their format, their size and their data
type".

What goes in the format field? Is it the data structure? Is it a range
or acceptable values?

I'm just not quite sure.

Have a safe and happy holidays, hope you get lots of eggs and easter
buns!

Heath Matheson
Mt Beauty

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Mark Kelly
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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.