[Gvsig_english] Language trouble: alphanumeric

[Benjamin Ducke]

----- Original Message -----
> [Gvsig_english] Language trouble: alphanumeric
> 
> > 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". 

Except that Alpha is not Latin ;)

> This proves English is also a Latin-based
> language unless you are swearing or talking with a peasant. 

Well, it's about 50% Germanic, 50% Latin in terms of vocabulary.
They do have words like "fish", "river", "cat", "house", etc. and
they are not always used by swearing peasants.

You are right, though: the famous f*** word is definitely of
Germanic origin -- and originally used to describe fast and
nervous movement. It is still used in that meaning by some
rural Germans and always sure to raise a smile from the urban
population.
 
> What do Germans mean when they say "alphanumeric data" ?

"numbers and strings"

> 
> 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?
> 

I could swear I came across it before, but can't find the link
for the life of me. Maybe I misread something...

But thanks for all your input, folks. I am convinced now that
when you all say "alphanumeric", you mean in fact "alphanumeric".

That's a relieve!

Ben

> 
> Regards,
> 
> 
> Juan Lucas Domínguez Rubio
> --- Prodevelop SL, Valencia (España)
> 
> Tlf.: 96.351.06.12 -- Fax: 96.351.09.68
> http://www.prodevelop.es
> ---
> 
> 
> 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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