Why series_index is double and not int?

Angelo.Mascaro · 10-16-2019, 08:57 AM

Does a special reason for series_index to be double exist?
What does it happen if I use "DB browser for SQlite" and I change the type of series_index?

thanks, Angelo

kovidgoyal · 10-16-2019, 08:58 AM

lots of series require series number like 1.5

theducks · 10-16-2019, 09:22 AM

And lots of us fake a range for Omnibus/boxed sets. [01.04] 1-4
(it gets muddy in places: [09.10] 9-10. 01.50 could be either a interval release or 1-5 )

davidfor · 10-16-2019, 09:48 AM

If the data type was being changed, it should be to something that allows some of those distinctions. The series index isn't a number in the same way as a software version number isn't.

theducks · 10-16-2019, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

If the data type was being changed, it should be to something that allows some of those distinctions. The series index isn't a number in the same way as a software version number isn't.

I think the reasoning behind leaving it as is: the current method allows Numeric sorting. Alpha sorting requires uniform data entry. :WormsBigCan:

Terisa de morgan · 10-16-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

I think the reasoning behind leaving it as is: the current method allows Numeric sorting. Alpha sorting requires uniform data entry. :WormsBigCan:

You don't want to go near that at all.....

davidfor · 10-16-2019, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

I think the reasoning behind leaving it as is: the current method allows Numeric sorting. Alpha sorting requires uniform data entry. :WormsBigCan:

I'm pretty sure the reason for leaving at it is is to not break backwards compatibility without a really good replacement.

But the sorting is at least part of the point of what I said. For example, if it was treated as dot separated numbers (think version numbers), it isn't hard to sort. That isn't going to help other places such as on a device that doesn't understand this, but, it is closer to what is needed.

Honestly, I don't have a good solution. I know that the current method is far from perfect, but, it is better than it if was an integer.

kovidgoyal · 10-16-2019, 11:30 AM

it can easily be changed to be a more sophisticated datatype in calibre itself. But then there is no support for it in any ebook format and it would become totally calibre private metadata. At least now EPUB 3 has some notion of series that works with a float and many EPUB software have added support for the calibre series metadata extension in EPUB 2 as well.

JSWolf · 10-16-2019, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

I think the reasoning behind leaving it as is: the current method allows Numeric sorting. Alpha sorting requires uniform data entry. :WormsBigCan:

Here you go.

theducks · 10-16-2019, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Here you go.

Hmmm! I gave up fishing worms when I found out I don't like fish.

Angelo.Mascaro · 10-17-2019, 04:54 AM

OK to everybody
You (everybody) convinced me :-)
I don't touch it!

mariushm · 10-22-2019, 06:00 AM

I guess it could be changed to
series major
series minor

but would be minor benefits to it, as it would use about the same space in the database.

Also noticed there's anthologies or volumes/collections (books 1-2 or books 1-3 of a 20+ series) .. for example see Argeneau series (scroll to bottom): https://www.goodreads.com/series/40687-argeneau

And there's also short stories ... some label it as SS1, SS2 (Short Story 1 etc), others use series 1.0a , 1.0b ... a, b, c ... for short story.

Some use the decimals for short stories or a mix (ex .1 for short story, .5 for small novel) , for example Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh : https://www.goodreads.com/series/41454-psy-changeling

10-16-2019, 08:57 AM	#1
Angelo.Mascaro Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Karlsruhe Device: Kindle	Why series_index is double and not int? Does a special reason for series_index to be double exist? What does it happen if I use "DB browser for SQlite" and I change the type of series_index? thanks, Angelo

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10-16-2019, 08:58 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,858 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	lots of series require series number like 1.5

10-16-2019, 09:22 AM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,801 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	And lots of us fake a range for Omnibus/boxed sets. [01.04] 1-4 (it gets muddy in places: [09.10] 9-10. 01.50 could be either a interval release or 1-5 )

10-16-2019, 09:48 AM	#4
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,907 Karma: 47303748 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	If the data type was being changed, it should be to something that allows some of those distinctions. The series index isn't a number in the same way as a software version number isn't.

10-16-2019, 11:30 AM	#8
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,858 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	it can easily be changed to be a more sophisticated datatype in calibre itself. But then there is no support for it in any ebook format and it would become totally calibre private metadata. At least now EPUB 3 has some notion of series that works with a float and many EPUB software have added support for the calibre series metadata extension in EPUB 2 as well.

10-17-2019, 04:54 AM	#11
Angelo.Mascaro Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Karlsruhe Device: Kindle	OK to everybody You (everybody) convinced me :-) I don't touch it!

10-22-2019, 06:00 AM	#12
mariushm Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: none	I guess it could be changed to series major series minor but would be minor benefits to it, as it would use about the same space in the database. Also noticed there's anthologies or volumes/collections (books 1-2 or books 1-3 of a 20+ series) .. for example see Argeneau series (scroll to bottom): https://www.goodreads.com/series/40687-argeneau And there's also short stories ... some label it as SS1, SS2 (Short Story 1 etc), others use series 1.0a , 1.0b ... a, b, c ... for short story. Some use the decimals for short stories or a mix (ex .1 for short story, .5 for small novel) , for example Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh : https://www.goodreads.com/series/41454-psy-changeling