[Gvsig_english] Language trouble: alphanumeric

[Juan Lucas Dominguez Rubio]

> I am curious about the word "alphanumeric",
> which is often used by Spanish, Italian, French,
> etc. speakers when they talk about GIS in English.
 
Very funny. I cannot think of a more Latin expression than "alphanumeric data". This proves English is also a Latin-based language unless you are swearing or talking with a peasant. What do Germans mean when they say "alphanumeric data" ?
 
I don't think "geographical alphanumeric data" or "spatial alphanumeric data" are very common, because they are confusing. Can you provide a link to a relevant text where they appear?
 
 
Regards,
 
Juan Lucas Domínguez Rubio
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Prodevelop SL, Valencia (España)
Tlf.: 96.351.06.12 -- Fax: 96.351.09.68
http://www.prodevelop.es <http://www.prodevelop.es/> 
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________________________________

De: gvsig_internacional-bounces at listserv.gva.es en nombre de Benjamin Ducke
Enviado el: jue 08/07/2010 14:32
Para: Users and Developers mailing list
Asunto: [Gvsig_english] Language trouble: alphanumeric



Hi all,

this is a question to all of you who speak a Latin-based language.
I am curious about the word "alphanumeric", which is often used
by Spanish, Italian, French, etc. speakers when they talk about
GIS in English.

I have always struggled with the meaning of this, as it does not
seem to fully match the computer science definition
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphanumeric).
For example, it is sometimes used like "geographical alphanumeric"
data or "spatial alphanumeric" data, which would make no sense
given above definition.

So my question is: what exactly does this word mean, which seems
to be so intuitive to many people?

"alphanumeric" = "attribute table data"?

"alphanumeric" = "numbers and strings"?

"alphanumeric" = "database content"?

or just = "digital information"?

Confused,

Ben


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