Re: Dumb programming question..

On 8/31/05, Chuck Lewis <chuck.lewis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Folks,
> 
> Sorry for all the confusion. I got is handed to me, scribbled on a piece 
> of
> paper from the CFO :-) and I double check with him and they it needs to 
> work
> is:
> 
> Subtract 1 from FieldA
> Divide that result by FieldA
> Multiply that result by 100
> 
> Chuck


Anybody ever done the "describe how to make a peanut butter & jelly" test? I 
remember all of the ingenious ways people could put this together.

I know you've already gotten your result, Chuck. But even this description 
is misleading. If FieldA is 9 and I "Subtract 1 from FieldA", FieldA is now 
8. Therefore, in the next step, when I "Divide that result by FieldA", my 
equation is actually "8 divided by 8". 

I dunno, that may seem rather ... "anal", but after having worked with users 
for 20+ years, you learn to qualify a lot of what they tell you. 

And, did you ever ask what you should do if FieldA is zero? I've witnessed a 
lot of cases where programmers assumed (love that word) a positive test for 
divide by zero should result in zero. I always take it back to the users. 
"What should the program do if FieldA is zero?" "Oh, it will *never* be 
zero!" "Never say never. I don't want a phone call at 3:00 in the morning. 
Cuz, if I do, I will have to call you at 3:01 and find out how you want to 
handle it." Sure, FieldA *should* never be zero, but programmers with 
experience know better.

- Dan