Component descriptions automatically combine data from many fields into one combined description at output. This creates consistency, the ability to validate data entry, and ability to query.
When you have complicated material descriptions in your reports...
by Pat Cummings » Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:06 am
- description.jpg (32.53 KiB) Viewed 100 times
...instead of a single, freeform Description field for your soil lithology data that looks like this...
- blob lithology table.jpg (65.63 KiB) Viewed 100 times
...you can break the description into separate fields:
- component lithology table.jpg (76.91 KiB) Viewed 100 times
The latter method uses component descriptions. They can consist of as few as three or four fields or as many as 35 or more. You can also setup your database with one table for Soil Descriptions and another table for Rock Descriptions. Component descriptions are not limited to just soil and rock descriptions; you can also setup multiple fields for Sample data, or any other application where consistency and searchability are needed.
The advantages of component descriptions are:
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Consistency: Consistently structured descriptions are always produced.
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Enforced selection: Most of the components will have lists of data associated with them. The user chooses from these lists. Data lists facilitate data accuracy and consistency.
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No formatting of data during input: Any punctuation and formatting is applied during output. Punctuation and formatting can be changed as needed without the need to edit data. The order of components can also be changed without editing the data.
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Selective reporting of the data: Different reports can use different fields or different ordering of the fields.
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Query opportunities: Queries can be run on the fields at Output.
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Validation of the data: Data validation is possible. Rules can be created that prevent incorrect combinations of terms
See Also
- Help
Index
Overview - component descriptions (how-to guide)
- YouTube Video: