Bug #3188
closedpossible otherEntity and dataTable inconsistances
0%
Description
The otherEntity element contains most of the same elements as the dataTable
element. For some reason the numberOfRecords is only contained in the dataTable
element. I think it would worth thinking about having it available but not
required in the otherEntity element. This way it would be easier to change a
dataTable element to an otherEntity element. It also seems like an
inconsistency. The main difference between the two elements is that a dataTable
requires that that the attributes are described and a otherEntity does not
require that. I think adding the numberOfRecords (not required though, 0 to many) to the otherEntity elements may help with converting dataTable entities to otherEntities when there is problems with listing the attributes.
Updated by Margaret O'Brien over 15 years ago
numberOfRecords is appropriate for tables, whereas the OtherEntityType is for describing entities that can't be handled by the other types. To find a numberOfRecords element under otherEntity would be confusing. It should not be added to that type only to accommodate incomplete dataTables.
Updated by Matt Jones over 15 years ago
I agree. We've used otherEntity to hold data objects when we don't yet have an entity/attribute description -- all we know is that it is data. Once we determine that it is a table we should be moving it to the dataTable entity type. Unless someone posts a rationale here for keeping this bug open, I suggest it be closed as 'won't fix'.