11. MAKING A LIST OF VARIABLES (OPERONS)

The next step in the process is to make a list of variables concerned with the subject matter. Let us assume that the main source of information is an article in a magazine for practitioners.

As an aside, there may be a surprisingly great number of variables. We have found, for instance, that an average size newspaper article could have as many as 35 to 40 variables.

Be that as it may, each variable should be recorded, as per the template in Appendix A (part 1), with an identification code not to exceed seven characters, and all in capital letters. There should be no special characters like periods or question marks or explanation points.

The identification code should be followed by a short description (with the limits of 43 characters, including spaces, and with the first letter of major words in capitals). More information can be added later.

A few rules about what to include or not in the short description:

(1)  Limit the use of formal names of people, organizations, equipment, and the like.

Example: “Model XXR Closed Circuit TV Automated Number Plate Recognition System”.

Reason: Few users around the world would know Model XXR

Option: “Closed Circuit TV Automated Number Plate Recognition System”.

(2)  If necessary (particularly for variable description length limits), use an acronym or abbreviation, and then also enter the acronym/abbreviation on a separate list (see Sec. 15).

Example: “Closed Circuit TV Automated Number Plate Recognition System”.

Reason: Too long. Limit is 43 characters.

Option: “CCTV-Automated Number Plate Recognition”.

 Then add the acronyms to the list.

(3)  Add as much additional information as desired (e.g., examples, references, description of acronyms) about the variable in a section below the brief description.

            See TP Page11 and Appendix A, parts 1 and 3.

(4)  Make separate variables out of compound ones.

Example: “CCTV-Automated Number Plate Recognition AND ‘Smart’ Radio Frequency Identification”

Reason: These two variables may have differential effects on other variables.

Option: “CCTV-Automated Number Plate Recognition”

              “'Smart’ Radio Frequency Identification” 

(5)  Make separate variables out of compound ones.

Example: “CCTV-Automated Number Plate Recognition OR ‘Smart’ Radio Frequency Identification”

Reason: These two variables may have differential effects on other variables.

Option: “CCTV-Automated Number Plate Recognition”

              “’Smart’ Radio Frequency Identification”

(6)  Define/describe terms that our assumed user (see Sec. 2) is not likely to understand.

Example: “Number Plate” in “CCTV-Automated Number Plate Recognition”

Reason: American user not likely to know or remember “Number Plate”

Option: Put description, reference in “Further Description … “ (see Appendix A);

The Netherlands were the first to introduce a national license plate, called a "driving permit", in 1898. The first licenses were plates with a number, starting at 1. By 8 August 1899 the counter was at 168.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plate#History

After all is said and done, the resultant product from this process should be a list of variables, in alphabetical ID CODE order in a text file that looks something like TP Page11.

Note: The double asterisks are included to make it easier to search for all variables.

Note: It is important to check the list to make sure there are no duplicates. After, say, 30 variables have been entered, it becomes difficult to remember which ones have already been created. Things get a little more complicated, too, when variables are similar but not exactly the same. As an example, you may have entered the variable LPCLONE, as in TP Page11, as well as “License Plate Copying”. Are these the same? It is up to you, the contributor, to decide.

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