Automating Slalom Returns
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:19 am
I'm looking at working out the fees due automatically from the files produced from Simply Slalom.
It's not an impossible task to automate this and I've just started looking at it.
The most obvious issue is identifying unique paddlers as paddlers with the same name do not qualify for Multi Class Discount. It won't happen often but does and will happen.
If the entry is based on a real bib there is no issue. If however the paddler has a temporary bib then I need to identify who they are, some may be known to the ranking database and if there name is spelt correctly I can find them in their old division, anyone who isn't known to the database presents a problem.
Age can not be relied on to identify different paddlers as they may paddle a C2 in which case they may paddle in a different age group.
I can do a best guess (which is awful in programming as it is just that a guess) and flag up things to check manually where the paddler is not registered and a MCD is given.
So that out of the way I can see how I can calculate double fees, MC Discounts (including the C2 rule), plus Junior reductions.
I guess if the output listed each paddler and how much they should have paid, any double/MCD discount then it would be fairly easy to reconcile entry cards/monies received against the output. If the balances agree then it should be correct, if they don't then you would just need to work through the list to find the error (which may well be with the entry).
My only question so far is does a paddler who races K1 on a Saturday and C1 on a Sunday at a double get charged double fee or two single fees? I'm assuming its a double fee could anyone confirm?
It's not an impossible task to automate this and I've just started looking at it.
The most obvious issue is identifying unique paddlers as paddlers with the same name do not qualify for Multi Class Discount. It won't happen often but does and will happen.
If the entry is based on a real bib there is no issue. If however the paddler has a temporary bib then I need to identify who they are, some may be known to the ranking database and if there name is spelt correctly I can find them in their old division, anyone who isn't known to the database presents a problem.
Age can not be relied on to identify different paddlers as they may paddle a C2 in which case they may paddle in a different age group.
I can do a best guess (which is awful in programming as it is just that a guess) and flag up things to check manually where the paddler is not registered and a MCD is given.
So that out of the way I can see how I can calculate double fees, MC Discounts (including the C2 rule), plus Junior reductions.
I guess if the output listed each paddler and how much they should have paid, any double/MCD discount then it would be fairly easy to reconcile entry cards/monies received against the output. If the balances agree then it should be correct, if they don't then you would just need to work through the list to find the error (which may well be with the entry).
My only question so far is does a paddler who races K1 on a Saturday and C1 on a Sunday at a double get charged double fee or two single fees? I'm assuming its a double fee could anyone confirm?