Re: [AM] Database "refactoring" effort question

At 05:03 PM 2/2/2004 -0500, J.B. wrote:
>><snip>
>>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?

Many others, I would expect.


>  * 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.

Yes, this is something that I suggest at 
www.agiledata.org/essays/databaseRefactoring.html.  During the "deprecation 
period", which could be several months, you support both versions of the 
column along with any triggers... to keep them up to date.

- Scott


>--
>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
>

====================================================
Scott W. Ambler
Senior Consultant, Ronin International, Inc.
www.ronin-intl.com/company/scottAmbler.html

www.agiledata.org
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For more information about AM, visit the Agile Modeling Home Page at www.agilemodeling.com
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