DataCollection : Change Field Type from ’Integer’ to ’Numbers’

1 Initial Problem

The current implementation only allows integers and is limited to 9 characters. This technological limitation is vastly oudated.

2 Conceptual Summary

Cases regularly occur in which both decimal numbers are to be used and larger numbers are to be used. New Field Type Label is 'Numbers'.

The previous limitations no longer apply.  No problems are to be expected with the existing integers. For clarity: negative numbers are also allowed as before.

Fractions are still not allowed. The use of fractions must fall within the scope of the formula field. This could otherwise lead to problems if number fields are referenced in formula fields.

The Refinery (here Transformation kindlyTo->float() ) should be used to handle different separators such as commas and dots. This should ensure a standardised handling of the input of numerical values in ILIAS.

3 User Interface Modifications

3.1 List of Affected Views

3.2 User Interface Details

The name of the Data Type of Field is changed. New Label for Field Type. Adaptation of the Byline.

3.3 New User Interface Concepts

None.

3.4 Accessibility Implications

The new input will allow a wider variety of correct inputs while fully including the current integer scope.
It might not support false inputs in the way it currently does.

This is just for annotation and no positive or negative assessment.

4 Additional Information

4.1 Involved Authorities

4.2 Technical Aspects

The values will be migrated to text within the database since the separate integer storage is no longer feasable, is deprecated and will soon be fully migrated aswell. This is part of a unifying process of the datacollection storage.

This has no impact on the usage.

4.3 Privacy

Nothing specific or new.

4.4 Security

The new implication will allow more inputs and can potentially cause injection based issue, even if very unlikely. To prevent that inside the core new restrictions in form of validations will be added.
However, we cannot guarantee for the handling within external software (plugins, etc.).

4.5 Contact

Person to be contacted in case of questions about the feature or for funding offers: Samoila, Oliver [oliver.samoila]

4.6 Funding

Funding status and funding parties are listed in the block 'Status of Feature' in the right column of this page.

If you are interested to give funding for this feature, please get into contact with the person mentioned above as 'Contact'.

5 Discussion

6 Implementation

Feature has been implemented by {Please add related profile link of this person}

6.1 Description and Screenshots

{ Description of the final implementation and screenshots if possible. }

6.2 Test Cases

Test cases completed at {date} by {user}

6.3 Privacy

Information in privacy.md of component: updated at {date} by {user} | no change required

6.4 Approval

Approved at {date} by {user}.