[Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats

[Robert Hind]

Another reply Mike.

Re your statement

"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)"

This does not need integer postcodes! You index on a postcode, text or 
integer - that is all.

As a scientist/mathematician I have trouble with numbers with leading zeros.

Robert Hind (Semi-retired) OOF, GOM
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 6:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats


> 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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>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, Subscribe, Unsubscribe
> IT Software Development Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority 
> and
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/infotech/softwaredevel3-4.html
> http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers 
> Association Inc
>