Re: [ubl-clsc] My additions to the Code List Design Requirements

[Alan.Stitzer@marsh.com]

agreed



____________________
Alan Stitzer
AVP
Marsh USA Inc.
1166 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-2774
Phone: (561) 743-1938
Fax: (561) 743-1993
Internet: Alan.Stitzer@marsh.com
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<<< Memo from abcoates@londonmarketsystems.com@Internet on 18 January,
2004, 05:46:28 PM Sunday >>>


abcoates@londonmarketsystems.com@Internet on 18 Jan 2004, 17:46 Sunday

Please respond to abcoates@londonmarketsystems.com@Internet

To:    ubl-clsc
cc:      (bcc: Alan Stitzer)
Subject:    Re: [ubl-clsc] My additions to the Code List Design
       Requirements


** Reply to message from Alan.Stitzer@marsh.com on Wed, 14 Jan 2004
14:35:32
-0500

> [R19] A list of the values (codes) for a code list
>
> The code list must contain at least three (3) valid values to be
considered
> a code list.  If a code list contains only two values, it should be
> considered a "boolean".

I must admit, it is not uncommon for people to use a boolean value to
represent
a choice between just two items.  In my opinion, it is often a mistake.
Many
choices between two items are not really boolean choices.  For example,
suppose
sets of tea cups are available in white or blue.  You could map that choice
onto a boolean value, but when sets of red tea cups become available the
next
year, rewriting your boolean code to account for the existence of 3 values
could be expensive.

When mapping to a boolean value, the issue is not just whether you have two
values.  Rather, you have to ask whether the two values you have are the
only
two values that could ever be possible.  If not, then a boolean is the
wrong
choice.  This is my guiding rule, anyway.

 Cheers,
  Tony.
====
Anthony B. Coates
London Market Systems Limited
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From:  abcoates@londonmarketsystems.com@Internet