[Year 12 SofDev] Data dictionary - data formats

[Mike Brookes]

G'Day Robert
I was thinking purely from a programming point of view.
If the postcode is stored as an integer then you don't need a separate 
index. If you store Suburb names in an array where the position in the 
array corresponds to the postcode, eg element 3020 in the Suburb array 
is Sunshine, then Suburb(postcode) will give you the Suburb for any 
postcode. At least that's the theory :-)
Mike

On 6/04/2011 6:34 PM, Robert Hind wrote:
> 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
>
>
>