RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
No one has any comments? -Original Message- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:19 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources We have several data sources such as Active Directory, home-built databases and purchased databases. Each of these data sources may have different conventions for similar data elements. For example, Active Directory uses givenName and sn. Our main business system uses FIRST_NAME and LAST_NAME. While another database may use FirstName and LastName or firstName and lastName. Knowing that you can't change the schemas for many common data sources, do you make any attempt to use consistent variable names in your CFM pages? In other words, do you alias all of your data elements so that your CF code only uses one naming convention? m!ke. ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299328 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
Re: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
Personally, I only ever use an alias if the original name is even a little obscure (i.e. sn for surname). I probably would not make an alias of 'surname' to 'lastname' (or the other way around) unless it was going to save confusion rather than add to it. Dominic -- Blog it up: http://fusion.dominicwatson.co.uk ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299330 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
Re: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
What are you looking to accomplish? Are each of these databases running separate systems? Are you looking for one global interface to manage the exact same data in each database? I would say, if these systems are separate and distinct you should just leave them as is. If they are talking to each other and updates to one are done to updates to all you should probably create a common object to handle the core data and an adapter that knows how to talk to each database. -jeff We have several data sources such as Active Directory, home-built databases and purchased databases. Each of these data sources may have different conventions for similar data elements. ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299333 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.4
Re: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
On Tuesday 19 Feb 2008, Jeff Price wrote: What are you looking to accomplish? Are each of these databases running separate systems? Are you looking for one global interface to manage the exact same data in each database? Maybe either a single master DB all the others query, or (if not a single site) a local copy that syncs to the master on a scheduled basis would work too. -- Tom Chiverton Helping to professionally synthesize second-generation content on: http://thefalken.livejournal.com This email is sent for and on behalf of Halliwells LLP. Halliwells LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales under registered number OC307980 whose registered office address is at Halliwells LLP, 3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3EB. A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office. Any reference to a partner in relation to Halliwells LLP means a member of Halliwells LLP. Regulated by The Solicitors Regulation Authority. CONFIDENTIALITY This email is intended only for the use of the addressee named above and may be confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the addressee you must not read it and must not use any information contained in nor copy it nor inform any person other than Halliwells LLP or the addressee of its existence or contents. If you have received this email in error please delete it and notify Halliwells LLP IT Department on 0870 365 2500. For more information about Halliwells LLP visit www.halliwells.com. ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299334 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.4
RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
What is there to say really? Yes, consistency makes things easier in a situation like this. But, things are much easier to follow, usually, when the applications variable names match DB column names. ..:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com -Original Message- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:37 AM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources No one has any comments? -Original Message- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:19 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources We have several data sources such as Active Directory, home-built databases and purchased databases. Each of these data sources may have different conventions for similar data elements. For example, Active Directory uses givenName and sn. Our main business system uses FIRST_NAME and LAST_NAME. While another database may use FirstName and LastName or firstName and lastName. Knowing that you can't change the schemas for many common data sources, do you make any attempt to use consistent variable names in your CFM pages? In other words, do you alias all of your data elements so that your CF code only uses one naming convention? m!ke. ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299332 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
Sometimes, I have to join across all three datasources to get the data I need. For example, I need Active Directory, to get a list of current domain accounts. This is then joined to data exports from our business system to get HR information. Finally, this is joined to our ID Card database. Each of these datasources has a field for a person's last name. Active Directory: sn Bus Sys Exports: LAST_NAME ID Card DB: LastName Therefore, I have three different options for specifying a column name for a person's last name. I have to choose one. In this example, I would probably choose the sn from Active Directory since it would be the controlling data entity. I would probably alias sn to lastName in my CF code, in this example. However, if I only need to query Active Directory, and no other data sources, would I still alias the column or not? In other words, regardless of consistency, if my query doesn't include lastName, yet most of the CF code uses lastName, should I not always alias the column? That is my question. However, no matter what I choose for my CF variable, I will not match the column names from the other two data sources. m!ke -Original Message- From: Bobby Hartsfield [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:20 AM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources What is there to say really? Yes, consistency makes things easier in a situation like this. But, things are much easier to follow, usually, when the applications variable names match DB column names. ...:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299335 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
Your questions answer is basically a matter of opinion. I, personally, would only alias them when I cross join them. If I am only querying one of them, I would probably just use the column name as the variable name. ..:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com -Original Message- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 12:26 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources Sometimes, I have to join across all three datasources to get the data I need. For example, I need Active Directory, to get a list of current domain accounts. This is then joined to data exports from our business system to get HR information. Finally, this is joined to our ID Card database. Each of these datasources has a field for a person's last name. Active Directory: sn Bus Sys Exports: LAST_NAME ID Card DB: LastName Therefore, I have three different options for specifying a column name for a person's last name. I have to choose one. In this example, I would probably choose the sn from Active Directory since it would be the controlling data entity. I would probably alias sn to lastName in my CF code, in this example. However, if I only need to query Active Directory, and no other data sources, would I still alias the column or not? In other words, regardless of consistency, if my query doesn't include lastName, yet most of the CF code uses lastName, should I not always alias the column? That is my question. However, no matter what I choose for my CF variable, I will not match the column names from the other two data sources. m!ke -Original Message- From: Bobby Hartsfield [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:20 AM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources What is there to say really? Yes, consistency makes things easier in a situation like this. But, things are much easier to follow, usually, when the applications variable names match DB column names. :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299338 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.4
RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
If you are using centralized queries (CFCs or a 'framework' type system), you can utilize the 'as' operator in SQL on your selects. This would help with future programmers coming in and not getting confused. Eg. Select givenname as first_name, sn as last_name Where Just a thought. William -- William E. Seiter Have you ever read a book that changed your life? Go to: www.winninginthemargins.com Enter passkey: goldengrove Web Developer / ColdFusion Programmer http://William.Seiter.com -Original Message- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 6:37 AM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources No one has any comments? -Original Message- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:19 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources We have several data sources such as Active Directory, home-built databases and purchased databases. Each of these data sources may have different conventions for similar data elements. For example, Active Directory uses givenName and sn. Our main business system uses FIRST_NAME and LAST_NAME. While another database may use FirstName and LastName or firstName and lastName. Knowing that you can't change the schemas for many common data sources, do you make any attempt to use consistent variable names in your CFM pages? In other words, do you alias all of your data elements so that your CF code only uses one naming convention? m!ke. ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299340 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
Actually... I don't really see a reason to alias in the cross joins either. If they are all the same value, wouldn't you just select the one you wanted to use? ..:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com -Original Message- From: Bobby Hartsfield [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:45 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources Your questions answer is basically a matter of opinion. I, personally, would only alias them when I cross join them. If I am only querying one of them, I would probably just use the column name as the variable name. ...:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com -Original Message- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 12:26 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources Sometimes, I have to join across all three datasources to get the data I need. For example, I need Active Directory, to get a list of current domain accounts. This is then joined to data exports from our business system to get HR information. Finally, this is joined to our ID Card database. Each of these datasources has a field for a person's last name. Active Directory: sn Bus Sys Exports: LAST_NAME ID Card DB: LastName Therefore, I have three different options for specifying a column name for a person's last name. I have to choose one. In this example, I would probably choose the sn from Active Directory since it would be the controlling data entity. I would probably alias sn to lastName in my CF code, in this example. However, if I only need to query Active Directory, and no other data sources, would I still alias the column or not? In other words, regardless of consistency, if my query doesn't include lastName, yet most of the CF code uses lastName, should I not always alias the column? That is my question. However, no matter what I choose for my CF variable, I will not match the column names from the other two data sources. m!ke -Original Message- From: Bobby Hartsfield [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:20 AM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources What is there to say really? Yes, consistency makes things easier in a situation like this. But, things are much easier to follow, usually, when the applications variable names match DB column names. .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299344 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
Yes, but all the last name values should match throughout our databases, therefore, it doesn't really matter which exact column I choose, as long as I choose one of them. Someone else may have touched on the best answer. Many programmers may not know what sn is, but they should all know what lastName is. So, not only is consistency a good thing, so is clarity. ;-) I'm probably better off aliasing the column names to help the other guys. Thanks for everyone's input. M!ke -Original Message- From: Bobby Hartsfield [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:10 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources Actually... I don't really see a reason to alias in the cross joins either. If they are all the same value, wouldn't you just select the one you wanted to use? ...:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299351 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.4
RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
Yes, but all the last name values should match throughout our databases, therefore, it doesn't really matter which exact column I choose, as long as I choose one of them. My point exactly... so don't alias SN to lastName in a cross joined query... just select lastName to begin with. ..:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com -Original Message- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 4:01 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources Yes, but all the last name values should match throughout our databases, therefore, it doesn't really matter which exact column I choose, as long as I choose one of them. Someone else may have touched on the best answer. Many programmers may not know what sn is, but they should all know what lastName is. So, not only is consistency a good thing, so is clarity. ;-) I'm probably better off aliasing the column names to help the other guys. Thanks for everyone's input. M!ke -Original Message- From: Bobby Hartsfield [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:10 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources Actually... I don't really see a reason to alias in the cross joins either. If they are all the same value, wouldn't you just select the one you wanted to use? :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Bobby Hartsfield http://acoderslife.com ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299377 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
Inconsistent Variable Names Across Data Sources
We have several data sources such as Active Directory, home-built databases and purchased databases. Each of these data sources may have different conventions for similar data elements. For example, Active Directory uses givenName and sn. Our main business system uses FIRST_NAME and LAST_NAME. While another database may use FirstName and LastName or firstName and lastName. Knowing that you can't change the schemas for many common data sources, do you make any attempt to use consistent variable names in your CFM pages? In other words, do you alias all of your data elements so that your CF code only uses one naming convention? m!ke. ~| Adobe® ColdFusion® 8 software 8 is the most important and dramatic release to date Get the Free Trial http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;160198600;22374440;w Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:299244 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
