Re: [AM] Database "refactoring" effort question
"J. B. Rainsberger" <[email protected]>
| Newsgroups | gmane.comp.programming.modeling.agile |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <[email protected]> |
Scott Ambler wrote: > At 06:49 AM 2/2/2004 -0500, you wrote: > >> (responding to Graham) >> >> > Please replace the column Taxpayer Name (40 characters) >> > by two columns Taxpayer ForeName (25 characters) and >> > Taxpayer Surname (25 characters). >> > >> > THE QUESTION >> > How long will it take make this small change >> > - to the test database? >> > - to the production database? >> >> "How are you intending to supply me with the data I need, >> that I don't have? I need to know where to split the >> Taxpayer Name. That data seems to be absent." >> >> This isn't a refactoring problem if you are intending to >> create new data - or capture new data. The refactoring >> takes little effort. The data capture of the required new >> data is what will take the effort. > > > Depends on what Graham's point was. Does he mean that he doesn't have > the rule for splitting the existing names. For example, how do you > split "Ambler Scott" and "Scott Ambler" and get it right each time? The > Agile DBA might do a little bit of analysis, e.g. look at some of the > source data, and determine that the data is a mess, increasing the cost > of fixing it. The decision in turn might be to abandon the idea of > refactoring this column. Some of us went through this scary problem on the xp list. We get it: it's a tough problem. My questions: * How do you want me to split the names? I can think of this simple algorithm: everything after the last space is the last name; everything before the last space is the first name. Good enough? * Which other applications use that column? * Can we keep the old column in the database for a few months after we add "last name" and "first name"? This'll help us deal with fallout from possibly incorrectly splitting Jean van der Welde's name, or Chow Yun-Fat's. -- J. B. Rainsberger, Diaspar Software Services http://www.diasparsoftware.com :: +1 416 791-8603 Let's write software that people understand For more information about AM, visit the Agile Modeling Home Page at www.agilemodeling.com --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrKDA.bWnbtk.Z2NtYS1h Or send an email to: [email protected] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html --^----------------------------------------------------------------