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CRDSS <br />TASK MEMORANDUM 2.13-1 <br />System Maintenance <br />Strategy for Updating CRDSS Relational Database Data <br />1.0 ISSUE <br />This memorandum discusses the strategy to be used for updating CRDSS relational database data. <br />2.0 DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS <br />Premise <br />The accuracy and integrity of the existing CRDSS database data must be maintained. New data from <br />outside sources (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Climatic Data Center) and inside <br />sources (e.g., State Engineer?s Office) must be shown to possess the same level of accuracy before <br />being eligible as input to the database. <br />Assumptions <br />At the Division Office Level <br />The State will construct, debug, implement, and maintain basic data validation executable routines <br />that will be used by the Division offices. The purpose of these routines will be to validate field-level <br />observation data with the same kind of data integrity rules and constraints that are defined for the <br />CRDSS production database. The production database is the version of the database that is available <br />for use and can be trusted as valid by end users; however, changes to the database can still be made. <br />The process of creating data validation routines is not a trivial one, regardless of the level of data <br />accuracy enforcement. The overall complexity of the system is expanded by new modules that must <br />be maintained. The developers of these modules will be required to have a solid understanding of <br />the CRDSS database structure and all of the underlying relationships. However, there are significant <br />gains that can be realized if the modules are implemented and used correctly: <br />Raw data entry errors can be eliminated before they ever leave the field or Division level <br />? <br />office (e.g., text values in a numeric-only field). <br /> <br />Data in question can be returned in a timely manner for review and correction to the field <br />? <br />technician responsible. With each iteration of data entry and correction comes greater <br />understanding of the data requirements. <br />At the CRDSS Database Environment Level <br />The INFORMIX database engine was designed to help the database administration staff maintain the <br />integrity and accuracy of the database contents. Skills required to make effective use of the <br />INFORMIX toolkit include an understanding of the following: <br />1 <br />a320/taskmems/ 2-13-01.doc 01/03/97 <br />