paulw

**Ianpbaker** · Jan 5th, 2001, 07:24 AM

Just moving over to chitchat so we don't completly destroy that thread. Only having a laugh about the wife thing.

how versed are you in SSADM. I got most of my database skills in college and uni as they ramn loads of theory down your throats and it does help alot to have that **** roaming around your head and has made me a competent database designer. but my knowledge compared to yours is nowt(sorry, been in manchester too long). I know you have about 14 years on me but some of the things you awnser are awsome. If they ever do, do a forum guru, you'd get my vote.

As I said in an earlier thread, it will be nice to put some faces to names when I'm back in london.

**paulw** · Jan 5th, 2001, 08:55 AM

...some of the things you awnser are awsome

/me blushes... Thanks for that. Now if I can just show the boss...

Now for the surprising bit... I've never actally used SSADM as a formal methodology - the details of it are lost in my memory banks somewhere. I did study it along with a couple of other formal methodologies when I was with British Gas back in 1988-1993 but I have forgotten most of it now. If I need the details, I just look them up (I do have a fairly extensive library). Often the code I post is straight out of a book or a database that I have done. It's not knowing the code, it's knowing where to look

I have never forgotten the normalisation methods though since I use them day in, day out. One thing you do learn as you gain experience is that sometimes data is better de-normalised - entirely depends on the situation.

Normalisation is a great technique but it can lead to a lot of tables that you then have to stitch back together with Union queries which are not updatable

Sometimes I will not fully normalise the data so that I can apply action queries to one table and not ten. That may not be pure but it is pragmatic. Also writing the code to handle the redundancy issues can be quite fun...

When are you in town? tumblingdown, Gaffer and I get together for a snifter now and again.

Cheers,

P.

**Ianpbaker** · Jan 5th, 2001, 09:06 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by paulw

It's not knowing the code, it's knowing where to look

The word's of a wise progammer. I've now got an extensive library burned on a cd of all my code from previous contracts and it makes life so much more easier. and as i'm a web developer, no guessing what I do when I'm stumped.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by paulw

Normalisation is a great technique but it can lead to a lot of tables that you then have to stitch back together with Union queries which are not updatable.

Tell me about it. in one of my previous contracts, this guy designed the SQL Server the database and must of put in tables for just the sake of it (like a lookup table that only ever has two fields). I would have taken him outside if it wasn't for the fact that it was the bosses son.

as for getting back to london. I'm up here in manchester for another week or two , and I haven't got my new contract lined up yet. But i'm definatley trying to get back to working their as I haven't for a while and it's only 1 1/2 hours from where I live. will keep you informed when i'm back

Ian

**paulw** · Jan 5th, 2001, 09:26 AM

Great, look forward to hearing from you.

P.

**Gary.Lowe** · Jan 5th, 2001, 09:34 AM

Ian

have you tried the Manchester Night Life yet?

**Ianpbaker** · Jan 5th, 2001, 09:40 AM

Hi gary

Yes, I have tried some of the night life. I'm very happy about the price of a pint up here. Been to some of the pubs round the city center as I work just off deansgate, although I haven't been to any clubs yet apart from the comedy club, which was a good night out. on whole I do like the city even though i'm a sussex boy. actually you just reminded me, I want to try out the imax cinema.

Ian

**Gary.Lowe** · Jan 5th, 2001, 09:44 AM

Ian

If you want cheap beer try the Walkabout (Australian bar) between 5pm & 7pm any drink is 2 for the price of 1

It's just off Deansgate opposite the Opera House

**Ianpbaker** · Jan 5th, 2001, 09:46 AM

cheers gary i'll have to give it a go. also you just reminded me that i've got arrange a drink with arbiter before I finish here, care to join us?

**Gary.Lowe** · Jan 5th, 2001, 09:50 AM

Sure

When do you finish?

**Ianpbaker** · Jan 5th, 2001, 09:51 AM

Hopefully, i'll be able to arrange something for next week, i'll keep you informed. you work with ben, don't you?

**Gary.Lowe** · Jan 5th, 2001, 10:00 AM

if thats Ben Stapleton then I used to but left that company about three months ago.

I saw him and the other BG staff at Christmas though for a few bevvies.

I am starting a new job on Monday which is better and closer to Manchester so it means I can start earlier.

Where abouts on Deansgate are you working?

**Ianpbaker** · Jan 5th, 2001, 10:03 AM

yeah that ben. I'm working in the riverside complex on bridge street (the big white buildings next to the hotel that is being built) and the company is called ksd.net

**paulw** · Jan 5th, 2001, 10:07 AM

Gary,

How long were you with BG? and what office? I used to work all over London for them but that was back in 1993!

Cheers,

P.

**Gary.Lowe** · Jan 5th, 2001, 10:11 AM

Ian

I pick my girlfriend up not far from there every night (Not Chorlton Street by the way)

Paul

I used to work in the Manchester office for 4 years. Did you work with the Staines massive (sorry about the Ali G pun)

**Ianpbaker** · Jan 5th, 2001, 10:12 AM

I've just mailed ben, so i'll se what he say's and get back to you.

**Ianpbaker** · Jan 5th, 2001, 10:32 AM

Gary how does next friday sound to you, just spoke to ben and the only evening he can make is next friday. he asked how youre doing as well

**paulw** · Jan 5th, 2001, 10:50 AM

Staines - ughhh Absolutely not - that was regional, we were HQ. Worked for S&C which was based out of Hinckley with the Control Center in Marble Arch. I was based in Holborn. Great company to work for when I started, glad to leave by the time they made me redundant!

Cheers,

P.

**Gary.Lowe** · Jan 5th, 2001, 11:23 AM

Paul

The story sounds familiar, they seem very good at keeping thier staff happy eh!

Ian

Sounds good to me

**Arbiter** · Jan 5th, 2001, 02:46 PM

AHA!!!

We meet again Mr. Lowe!

And you still haven't learnt to spell my name right. It's Stappleton - 2 P's.

Sorry I can only make next Friday guys, I'm down visiting AGS (ptooey) all week.

But now that's decided - the big question is where?

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