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Subject: Re: storing survey answers of different data types
From: "Joe Thurbon" <usenet@thurbon.com>
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Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:34:56 GMT
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On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:14:48 +1000, paul c <toledobythesea@oohay.ac> wrote:

> Joe Thurbon wrote:
> ...
>> Agreed. The cost may be in the complexity of the resultant schema.
>> ...
>
> "Cost' is one of those words that gets sloughed off  too often.  If the  
> requirement requires complexity, it requires complexity.

Yes, agreed. Conversely, if they do't require complexity, it shouldn't be  
present.

> I have never seen a user who insisted on a requirement that was  
> essential to the endeavour who paid any attention to the system  
> complexity cost needed for his requirement.

I've seen heaps. Typically, it means they don't order the system.

> I remember one big-shot who tried and tried to understand what the  
> techies were telling him about their own little problems resource  
> problems and was befuddled by their jargon when finally, he simply  
> asked, "is this a problem that can be solved with money?'.  All the  
> objections to his requirement disappeared almost overnight.

Indeed. I've seen that, too.

Cheers,
Joe