Ah yes but I only need the includesDate() method :-) I appreciate your input and understand what you are suggesting but unfortunately I'm struggling to see past temporal expressions using TimeOfDayRange simply because it seems like the simplest and most direct solution. I'm going to setup a quick prototype tonight and if it works then I'll go with it and if not then I'll be back to discuss your proposals :-)
Thanks Scott On 2/02/2011, at 7:27 PM, Adrian Crum wrote: > Btw, the reason the TimeOfDay range didn't work was because of the next() > method. If the expression includes a minute component and an hour component, > what is being incremented when next() is called? It ended up being ambiguous > and unreliable. > > -Adrian > > On 2/1/2011 10:22 PM, Adrian Crum wrote: >> Fair enough. >> >> Initially I suggested using a temporal expression plus duration to solve the >> problem. You said there will be errors during DST transitions - that's true. >> Then I said you would need a start temporal expression and an end temporal >> expression. But I realized this would be too much work for the end user >> because it would be too complicated. So I suggested using temporal >> expression with duration, plus check for a DST transition using the TimeZone >> object. This would be the quickest way to get it implemented, but it's a bad >> long term strategy because it doesn't consider other billing scenarios. So I >> started sketching out some code that would handle arbitrarily complex >> billing scenarios and gave you what I had so far, in case you were >> interested. >> >> To summarize: since you're pressed for time, the temporal expression plus >> duration plus DST check would be your best choice. The code I sketched out >> doesn't have the DST check because the ending day and time is specified - >> instead of using a duration. In the meantime I'm working on the "ideal" >> version - because I will need it for the project I'm working on. >> >> Sorry for the confusion. >> >> -Adrian >> >> On 2/1/2011 5:05 PM, Scott Gray wrote: >>>> Each object executes a loop that tests to see if the date falls within its >>>> range >>> Isn't this exactly what job temporal expressions are intended for? Twice >>> now you've told me that something isn't suitable (TimeOfDayRange and >>> temporal expressions themselves) but without making any effort to explain >>> why, if I have a hammer and something that looks like a nail then simply >>> saying "that isn't a nail" isn't going to convince me. I need you to tell >>> me that the nail is actually made of rubber and hitting it will just smash >>> my thumb :-) >>> >>> Regards >>> Scott >>> >>> On 2/02/2011, at 9:24 AM, [email protected] wrote: >>> >>>> Actually, temporal expressions should not be used because they aren't the >>>> right tool for the job. Here is what I sketched out initially, you can use >>>> it if you want: >>>> >>>> We need a data structure that includes a starting day of week and time, an >>>> ending day of week and time, a billing rate, and a billing increment. The >>>> structure also has a single method to compute billing. The structures are >>>> assembled in chronological order in a chain or array. >>>> >>>> A second structure is used as an argument for the first structure's >>>> billing method. It includes Dates representing the start and end of the >>>> billing period, an accumulator for the billed amount, and an optional List >>>> to keep track of the various rates and quantities that were used to >>>> compute the total. >>>> >>>> This second structure is initialized and passed to the first object in the >>>> chain or is passed to each object in the array. Each object executes a >>>> loop that tests to see if the date falls within its range, and if it does, >>>> money is added to the accumulator. The billing period start date is >>>> incremented by the increment amount and the loop repeats. When the date >>>> falls outside the object's range, control is passed to the next object in >>>> the array/chain. When the billing period start date equals the billing >>>> period end date, the process stops. >>>> >>>> -Adrian >>>> >>>> >>>> Quoting Scott Gray<[email protected]>: >>>> >>>>> Hi Adrian, >>>>> >>>>> The reasons you've mentioned below for why temporal expressions shouldn't >>>>> be used simply don't apply to my situation. All I have to support is an >>>>> admin defining the rate windows for a tiny date range (maybe 3-10 days) >>>>> and then apply pricing based on what windows a start time + duration fall >>>>> into. Aside from making sure the appropriate timezone is applied and >>>>> nothing quirky happens around DST, I have no other additional >>>>> complexities in my requirements. >>>>> >>>>> I would love to be able to collaborate with you on a more robust >>>>> implementation but I simply don't have the time, unfortunately I only >>>>> have hours available to design and implement a solution rather than days >>>>> or weeks. Thanks for sharing your thoughts though, I really appreciate >>>>> it. >>>>> >>>>> Regards >>>>> Scott >>>>> >>>>> On 2/02/2011, at 6:15 AM, [email protected] wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Scott, >>>>>> >>>>>> I don't think temporal expressions alone will do the job. Here's why: >>>>>> >>>>>> The type of billing you describe is what we call in the US a "shift >>>>>> differential." There are other factors that can affect billing too, like >>>>>> billing overtime if an employee works more than 8 hours in one day or 40 >>>>>> hours in one week. In addition, you might want to bill overtime for an >>>>>> employee who works on a holiday. >>>>>> >>>>>> These same rules could be applied to payroll to generate time sheets. >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm thinking we need something more comprehensive and flexible than what >>>>>> you described. >>>>>> >>>>>> I have experience in writing software for these types of scenarios. If >>>>>> you are interested in collaborating on a design, I would be happy to >>>>>> help. If so, let's open a Jira issue and start sharing ideas. >>>>>> >>>>>> -Adrian >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Quoting Adrian Crum<[email protected]>: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm still scratching my head on this one. I will need a similar >>>>>>> implementation in the near future, so I'm interested in helping with >>>>>>> the design. I'm reading Fowler's Analysis Patterns (7.7) to see what >>>>>>> his solution is. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -Adrian >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 2/1/2011 2:09 AM, Scott Gray wrote: >>>>>>>> It's all a little bit complicated and I keep wondering to myself why I >>>>>>>> don't just implement a TimeOfDayRange** to get me past it. Basically >>>>>>>> worker time is orderable in 15 minute increments with a start time and >>>>>>>> a duration and I then have to break that duration down into the >>>>>>>> relevant rates. I was hoping to just be able to iterate over each >>>>>>>> ordered 15 minute intervals and test them against each of the 3 >>>>>>>> temporal expressions (standard, overtime, double time) to determine >>>>>>>> which window each falls within. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I can't seem to understand why DateRange, HourRange and MinuteRange >>>>>>>> are okay but a TimeOfDayRange is a bad design? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ** I just noticed the deprecated implementation in 10.04, and it seems >>>>>>>> to do exactly what I had in mind, even if the design/implementation is >>>>>>>> flawed do you think it might work for my situation? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks >>>>>>>> Scott >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On 1/02/2011, at 7:25 PM, Adrian Crum wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Thinking about this more... >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> It might be easier to leverage the existing temporal expression + >>>>>>>>> time duration code, and simply perform a check to see if a DST >>>>>>>>> transition occurred during the billing period. You can perform that >>>>>>>>> check by using the TimeZone object. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -Adrian >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On 1/31/2011 11:05 AM, [email protected] wrote: >>>>>>>>>> That is an interesting problem to solve. At first glance it seems >>>>>>>>>> you would need separate event start and event end expressions. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -Adrian >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Quoting Scott Gray<[email protected]>: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Thanks Adrian, I had a feeling that would be the case but just >>>>>>>>>>> wanted to double check. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> What I am trying to do is model different ranges of time in which a >>>>>>>>>>> customer would get charged a given rate (standard, overtime, double >>>>>>>>>>> time). The only concern I have with using a rate start time and >>>>>>>>>>> duration is daylight saving, if a window were to begin at midnight >>>>>>>>>>> and end at 8.30am then using an 8.5hr duration wouldn't work >>>>>>>>>>> correctly when daylight savings starts and ends. So for me it's >>>>>>>>>>> less important how long a window lasts but rather at what specific >>>>>>>>>>> time it closes. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Thanks >>>>>>>>>>> Scott >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> HotWax Media >>>>>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On 1/02/2011, at 3:03 AM, Adrian Crum wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Scott, >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> The TimeOfDay range expression was a bad design and it didn't >>>>>>>>>>>> work, so it was replaced with MinuteRange and HourRange. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> It looks like you might be trying to combine a temporal expression >>>>>>>>>>>> with a duration. Does the event keep repeating from 05:00 to >>>>>>>>>>>> 08:30? Or does it occur at 05:00 and have a duration of 3.5 hours? >>>>>>>>>>>> Keep in mind the Temporal Expression indicates when an event >>>>>>>>>>>> occurs, not how long it lasts. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> -Adrian >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On 1/30/2011 6:47 PM, Scott Gray wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Adrian (I assume you're the only one that knows...), >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> In the original jira issue for the temporal expression >>>>>>>>>>>>> implementation there was mention of a TimeOfDayRange expression >>>>>>>>>>>>> (http://markmail.org/message/pz2i3kzavcnee4ca) but I can't seem >>>>>>>>>>>>> to find a corresponding class in the trunk? >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm looking to model something along the lines of: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Intersection: >>>>>>>>>>>>> DayOfWeekRange(Monday, Friday) >>>>>>>>>>>>> Union: >>>>>>>>>>>>> TimeOfDayRange(5:00, 08:30) >>>>>>>>>>>>> TimeOfDayRange(17:30, 22:30) >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> At the moment the only way I can see to do this is with something >>>>>>>>>>>>> quite complex like: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Intersection: >>>>>>>>>>>>> DayOfWeekRange(Monday, Friday) >>>>>>>>>>>>> Union: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Union: >>>>>>>>>>>>> HourOfDayRange(5:00, 08:00) >>>>>>>>>>>>> Intersection: >>>>>>>>>>>>> HourOfDayRange(08:00, 08:00) >>>>>>>>>>>>> MinuteOfDyRange(0, 30) >>>>>>>>>>>>> Union: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Intersection: >>>>>>>>>>>>> HourOfDayRange(17:00, 17:00) >>>>>>>>>>>>> MinuteOfDyRange(30, 59) >>>>>>>>>>>>> HourOfDayRange(18:00, 22:00) >>>>>>>>>>>>> Intersection: >>>>>>>>>>>>> HourOfDayRange(22:00, 22:00) >>>>>>>>>>>>> MinuteOfDyRange(0, 30) >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Assuming the above is even correct, is it my only option in the >>>>>>>>>>>>> current implementation? >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks >>>>>>>>>>>>> Scott >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> HotWax Media >>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>>
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