Re: Sorting Challenge

> On Tue, Aug 30, 2005 at 15:58:40 -0700,
>   operationsengineer1@yahoo.com wrote:
> >
> > i have a lot more data like this, but i want to
> keep
> > it simple.  the first two alphas represent an area
> and
> > the foloowing digit(s) represent a unique id.
> >
> > the data is currently held in a text field.
>
> It generally isn't a good idea to store multiple
> fields in one column.
> You should probably split this into two columns
> unless there is a significant
> performance problem with doing so.
>
> If there is than you might try creating an operator
> class that properly
> compares these strings. Then you can use that
> operator class to do sorts
> or create btree indexes.

hi Bruno,

the code is actually a single field.  the reason it
isn't just a numeric value is b/c i thought there
would be value in making the code somewhat human
readable.

as it stands now, a person can look at the defect code
and know will know the causal process.

is there a better way to make the code semi-human
readable and still act as a defect code (and primary
key)?

tia...

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