>From: Jim Cooper <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
>> In business applications, especially involving (say) retail stores,
>> having validation file this size is very normal in a handheld
>> application.
>
>Normal <> sensible :-)
This is doesn't appear to be your area of expertise.
Normal == sensible
>What customer is going to possibly order any one of the 30,000 items?
>Normally only a subset applies.
Customers potentially order any item.
But for inventory / price check / ordering applications then
any item can be used at any time.
>But suppose they might order anything. How do they know what
>to order? Do they have a catalogue?
In retail environments (and on re-order situations) they usually
have the physical item. Sometimes (in order situations) they
might have a catalog.
> If they do, why have that on the PDA?
They want description, price, etc.
The basic concept here is POEV, "point-of-entry verification"
In other words, place maximum validation when the data
is entered.
They want to ensure the product code entered is valid and
is the one they meant to enter.
>Why not just enter the product codes, or a description that can
>be converted into a product code later (in the conduit or order
>processing app on the PC/server).
Actually, they almost always enter the product code.
By scanning a barcode, or using a "big key" full screen keypad
so they can quickly touch-tap in the product code.
Finding the record by entering partial description and/or
category only occurs when the physical product is not
available or the product ID is damaged or missing.
>It is rarely **necessary** to have that many items. I know a lot
>of customers **want** them, but that's not the same thing.
In my application space, it is normally necessary! Sorry Jim.
Roger Stringer
Marietta Systems, Inc.
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