Re: [AM] Database "refactoring" effort question

(responding to J.B., Scott)
>
>>> (Paul)
>>> 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.
> 
>> (Scott) 
>> 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 point is that you are creating two columns of *new* data.
It is possible that there is some arbitrarily complex rule that
can derive the new data from the old data that you already
have, and that this may turn out to be an acceptable way
to create the new data, with an acceptable level of dirty
data created in the process.  Yet there is nowhere in the
system that contains all the data needed to create the new 
data from what is already there.  In populating the new
columns, one needs to add information that is not yet
available.  This is not merely a refactoring.  For the
10,000,000 records quoted, you need to create one new
piece of information each - at minimum.


Paul Oldfield

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
www.aptprocess.com

any opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of
Mentors of Cally or the Appropriate Process Movement
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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
--^----------------------------------------------------------------