Want a brainteaser? Here's one...

[durexlw]

Imagine functions (as in coding): there is a function call, to each function there are parameters and whereas the names and the amount of parameters is specific to a function, the value of that parameters is specific to each individual function call.

For example:
Add (Number1,Number2)
ADD = function
Number1 & Number2 = parameters specific to the function

Add (5,3) = function call
where the numbers 5 and 3 are parameters specific to the function call

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What I would like is a datamodel that can do this: if I add a new function, it should present me with the parameters specific for that function, but the values for those parameters should be different for each 'function call'. I'm really struggeling with this one and I'm in need of some help.

... is this even possible?

 

[DCrake]

Your examples are a bit abstract, using actual senarios are far better to understand. What is your actual objective? Also using reserved words can be misleading (ADD).

 

[durexlw]

Your examples are a bit abstract, using actual senarios are far better to understand. What is your actual objective?

Imagine a company:
There are certain tasks that need to be done. Each task consists of a certain step.

For example:
task = "requestion vacation"

Steps involved:
1) filling in a form
1.1) parameter 1 = points to the correct form for this step/task
2) having this request approved or denied
2.1) parameter 1 = approved or denied
2.2) parameter 2 = Message... reason of approval or denial

Here is a suggestion of a diagram:

So a person can launch a certain task (table TaskOrder) and a task consists of certain steps.

The problem I can't get my head around is the 'parameters' for each step:

When a person launces the task "Holliday Request" for example, for the first step (filling in the form) this datamodel should attach one parameter with the name 'form', which in the above model works... what doesn't work however: how can I store the values of that parameter?

And how can I make that if two people request the same task, the parameters for each step in that task are bound to that individual task?
In other words: say person A requests a holliday, person B requests a holiday as well: the parameter of the last step is "approved", how can I make a model so that if I approve the holiday of person A, it doesn't get approved for person B as well?

Because in the above model: if I attach the parameters to the table steps, then if I set a certain parameter of a certain step in a certain task, this then applies to all people who ordered that task.

 

[DCrake]

Someone with more knowledge on datamodelling may be able to give you a more definitive answer in the round so to speak. However on a logical point of view. If you have a person requesting a holiday then you as the programmer will be fluent with the decision tree so you should progam it to open a request form which is then completed.

When referring to forms are you referring to Access forms or document templates available to the requestee? Which is then used to capture the details electronically on your Access Form. And Remember build your Access form around your request from working from top left to bottom right. That way the eye on the screen folows the eye on the form.

 

[G37Sam]

The only reason it's a brainteaser is due to the way you put it lol It's quite simple if you ask me.

You can simply add a "TaskStatus" field to keep track of where it's at, and program it to go to the next subtask, etc..