[Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats

[Mike Brookes]

G'Day Robert

Storing as an integer takes 2 bytes - storing as text takes at least 5 
bytes - 1 byte per character + either a byte for the number of 
characters in the string or a null byte delimiter.
 From a mathemagical point of view you can put as many zeros in front of 
a number as you like without altering its value.
 From a practical point of view, using integers for the postcode can 
form an index into an array of suburb names (assuming a single postcode 
does not extend over more than one suburb - or maybe expecting a logical 
assignment of postcodes stretches things somewhat)

Mike Brookes
Semi retired perfect gentleman ;-)

On 6/04/2011 5:17 PM, Robert Hind wrote:
> Thanks Mike!
>
> Gets even more murky doesn't it?
>
> Good old "microsloth speak" (Thanks again Mike).
>
> You "should not" be able to start a number with a zero. So previous advice
> that postcodes should be treated as text still stands.
>
> The fact that Microsoft allows numbers starting with zero should not make
> this an acceptable practice. B##### Microsoft.
>
> Seriously, how often do you need to perform numerical calculations on a
> postcode?
>
> Love to hear more on this
>
> Robert Hind (Semi-retired) OOF, GOM - and I'm not really a gentleman :-)
>   - Ashwood and Traralgon
> robert at yinnar.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Brookes"<mikebr at tpg.com.au>
> To: "Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List"
> <sofdev at edulists.com.au>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 4:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats
>
>
>> Actually you can :-)
>> The output just needs to be formatted as 4 digits (in microsloth speak
>> use a custom format of 0000)
>>
>> Mike Brookes
>> Semi retired gentleman from Copperfield College
>>
>> On 6/04/2011 2:14 PM, Andrew Shortell wrote:
>>> Hi Gordon
>>> Just by the way  - northern territory postcodes start with a zero .. Thus
>>> cannot store postcode as number
>>>
>>> Andrew
>>>
>>> Andrew Shortell
>>>
>>> mailto:shortell at get2me.net
>>> Heidelberg Teaching Unit
>>> Ph 9470 3403
>>> Fax  9470 3215
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