Re: RFC : Correcting some problems in rounding/number handling

[Richard Wackerbarth]

On Thu, 06 Jul 2000, Bill Gribble wrote:
> Richard Wackerbarth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> > I agree that rather than describing the properties of a currency for the
> > "denominator" of an amount, we should simply reference the currency. The
> > properties of it are common to all instances of amounts denominated in
> > that currency. Further, that reference can be "factored" and we can
> > simply store the numerator of each entry.
>
> Storing the two halves that make a value in completely different
> layers of representation is wrong, IMO.  If a "monetary value" is a
> single concept, it should be stored as a single entity.  To do
> otherwise is just to ask for headache after headache.

First, you are making the wrong assumption that there are two, and only two 
"properties" of a monetary amount.

Second, storing (as you express it) the "halves" that make a value in 
different tables IS exactly what RELATIONAL databases are all about.

Third, the "numerator" IS the value. There is no denominator. What you call 
the denominator is just an "exchange rate" that is used to convert to a new 
set of units.

Remember that we are "counting our pennies". Then, when we have more that a 
few, we convert then to dollars for "display" purposes only.

"Just my two cents" not "Just my two one-hundreths of a dollar"

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