[Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats

Wed Apr 6 08:32:28 EST 2011

I still don't see input controls as validation measures: input comes before
validation in the information processing cycle (from the study design before
the last one).  Preventing the entry of invalid data (to me) is not the same
as actively checking data for unreasonableness.  Anyway, that's just me.

On the subject of radio buttons, since they are used to display stored data
as well as to enter it, I regard them as a data *format* (as well as an
input control).

As for what constitutes a data dictionary, I've seen dozens of styles from
minimal (fieldname, type, size) to deluxe, with information like:

* Data element name (e.g. a field's name, like "Surname")
* Short description
* Data type (characters, numeric, etc.), size
* Null value allowed: Null or non-existing data value may or may not be
allowed for an element.
* Default value: Default value may be a variable, like current date and time
of the day
* Allowed values and validation
* Whether the field is a key field.
* Formulas of calculated fields.
* Probably other things as well

I'd tend to agree that data formatting is not the sort of thing a data
dictionary should have, since the formatting of the data could vary from
place to place in the output (e.g. a date field could be shown as
dd/mmm/yyyy in a list, but dddd dd mmmm, yyyy in a detailed form.  It seems
silly to describe *all* of the formatting usages in a data dictionary.

And just to muddy the waters a little, from my research I've found two types
of data dictionaries:

   - A *logical data dictionary* lays down what data is required in a
   general sense (e.g. "What data should be in a sales contract?")
   - A *physical data dictionary* design tool e.g. in the sales contract
   record there is a sale_date (type date), customer_ID (text, 10 characters,
   primary key) etc.

On 5 April 2011 21:12, Matheson, Heath A <
Matheson.Heath.A at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

> 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
> andrews.esther at bssc.edu.au<mailto:andrews.esther at bssc.edu.au>
> www.bssc.edu.au<http://www.bssc.edu.au/>
> Our ROLE is to empower learners for individual, community and global
> leadership. We value Respect, Optimism, Learning and Environment.
> ________________________________
> 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
> Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area
> McKinnon Secondary College
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-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Edulist

All generalisations are false, except this one.
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