Re: [pilot-db-list] leading zero's

[Oliver G. <oli...@we...>]

Larry W. Virden wrote:

>>A leading zero serves no purpose, it doesn't change
>>the value of the number.
>>
> 
> A leading zero does serve a purpose actually - if one is keying in a
> password that includes a leading zero, then dropping it leaves one
> without the knowledge of whether it is needed or not.
> 

I have to disagree! If you want to use a number field, then the
numbers should be handled and stored mathematically correct.
As a number, 1234 is the same as 01234. If you display it with
leading zeros, then it's just that: a formatting convention
for display purposes.

If you want to store a sequence of numbers or characters exactly
as you enter it, then use a string.


> Rather than trying to make assumptions of what the user of a package
> needs, I recommend leaving what someone types into a field EXACTLY as
> they type it.  If a field has entry contraints, just don't let the
> wrong kind of data be entered into the field in the first place.
> 
The creator of the database has to determine what he or she

wants to store and chose the field types accordingly. Storing
a number in such a way that leading zeros are stored with it
makes no sense to me.

BTW, storing the number as a string EXACTLY as it was entered
by the user would be making an assumption about what the user
wants to do with it later as well.

Regards,
	Oliver


-- 
Oliver Goetz, mailto:oli...@we...
    "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
     Sinners are much more fun...   And only the good die young"
                                                      -- Billy Joel