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Bug #655

closed

need better model for numeric domains for attributes

Added by Matt Jones over 21 years ago. Updated over 21 years ago.

Status:
Resolved
Priority:
Immediate
Assignee:
Category:
eml - general bugs
Target version:
Start date:
10/25/2002
Due date:
% Done:

0%

Estimated time:
Bugzilla-Id:
655

Description

We've found another problem with attributeDomain that needs to be fixed for the
EML 2 release. Currently, the numericDomain subtype does not indicate which
number type is intended, and so some legitimate numeric domains are not
expressible in EML. This is a fatal flaw in the model, especially if domain is
required and people can't describe their domains. For example, right now, one
can not express a domain that only incudes the positive real numbers.

To fix this, I propose that we change the content model of numericDomain to the
following:

numericDomain (numberType, (minimum|minimumExclusive)?, (maximum|maximumExclusive)?)
numberType (#PCDATA) and is a choice of the following enumeration:
natural, whole, integer, real

One might argue that the distinction between rational and irrational is needed
(but I think not), so we might consider adding "rational" and "irrational" to
the list (which together make real numbers). But I don't think irrational
numbers are relevant because they can't actually be written down except
symbolically (e.g., pi). See http://www.purplemath.com/modules/numtypes.htm for
a summary of these number types.

Under this new system, someone who wanted to express a positive integral number
that was less than or equal to 10 could say:
<numericDomain>
<numberType>whole</numberType>
<maximum>10</maximum>
<numericDomain>

Under this new system, someone who wanted to express a positive fractional
number that was less than 10 could say:
<numericDomain>
<numberType>real</numberType>
<minimumExclusive>0</minimumExclusive>
<maximumExclusive>10</maximumExclusive>
<numericDomain>

Thanks for the feedback.

Actions #1

Updated by Peter McCartney over 21 years ago

Does this belong in numeric domain or in measurement scale? seems like it
qualifies measuremnt scale rather than domain.

Actions #2

Updated by Matt Jones over 21 years ago

DONE. Both number type and the exclusive options are now part of the domain
expression. This allows precise numeric domain statements. We decided that it
did not belong in measurementScale as it is an aspect of the domain. Because
domain is part of measurementScale, you can only use these numeric domain
constructs on interval and ratio scale attributes.

Actions #3

Updated by Redmine Admin about 11 years ago

Original Bugzilla ID was 655

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