Re: Complicated query: searching for results within results.

DA Morgan wrote:
> phreaker wrote:
> > Hi, I have a query that I need to do that I've been thinking about, and
> > I am stuck at this point.
> >
> > Table 1 has columns A, B, and C
> >
> > For a given A, I need to figure out whether there exists <B,C> pairs
> > that have the same B, but different C. For a given A, there are a
> > potentially many Bs and many Cs.
> >
> >
> > So for a given A, if there are these results in the table:
> >
> > B C
> > 1 5
> > 1 100
> > 2 4
> > 2 4
> >
> > I need to return true, since <1,5> and <1,100> have same B, but
> > different C.
> >
> > Thanks!
> > David
>
> Please, everyone, remember that some of these queries are from
> students. Provide hints ... not solutions.
>
> I'm not saying phreaker is a student ... but please think carefully
> about what is being asked before answering.
>
> Thanks.
> --
> Daniel A. Morgan
> University of Washington
> damorgan_at_x.washington.edu
> (replace x with u to respond)
> Puget Sound Oracle Users Group
> www.psoug.org

Your post appears to be in response to the long winded solution that I provided. As a _former_ computer instructor, I beg to differ with the notion that only hints should be provided when potentially complex questions are asked. Hints work well in a classroom environment where there is both a verbal and non-verbal immediate exchange between instructor and student. However, hints in a static, written format may not serve as motivation to encourage thought processes - those hints may be read as the master playing games with the novice or even as a way of insulting the novice's intelligence, when that is far from the intended result.

I agree, just providing a solution to a specific problem has limited benefits to the recipient if the solution. Providing insight into the thought processes that lead to each step of the solution is far more helpful - make connections between what is familar to those learning something new, with something that is a bit different.

Charles Hooper
PC Support Specialist
K&M Machine-Fabricating, Inc. Received on Sun Nov 19 2006 - 18:50:41 CST