shared API for double-entry accounting, treating it as a 'math' library.

[Tim Schofield]

Hi Marc,

The data wont be stored in an sql database?

Thanks
Tim


On 18 January 2014 11:49, Marc Paré <marc at marcpare.com> wrote:

>  Hi everyone,
>
> Yes, I see that I perhaps had not made my point/comment completely clear.
> I was speaking from the point of view of, if any specific storage format
> were to be contemplated, that we at least look towards one that had good
> and solid backing from an open source driven organization (in my example, I
> used the OASIS group). But, sure, we could also loop in any report file
> format(s) that were contemplated as well. I am more concerned with any
> suggestion of adopting a storage file format that is not backed by its
> originating standardization group.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Marc
>
>
>
> Le 2014-01-18 06:11, Tim Schofield a écrit :
>
>  I am probably being dumb here, but in the context of an accounting
> system what do you mean by a standard file format? Are we talking about
> reports? In something like an office application an open standard document
> format is obvious and critical. For an accounting system?
>
>  I read this http://npoacct.sfconservancy.org/UseCases/StorageAPI/ and it
> seems somewhat naive from an accounting POV. It has a simplistic view of
> what constitutes an accounting transaction (the bulk of transactions on
> accounting systems will be neither payments or receipts) and also from the
> need for a standard API for double entry bookkeeping. I am not sure who
> would use such a thing. I can't imagine a use case where you would want the
> front end of one system to talk to the back end of another, or am I missing
> something?
>
>  Thanks
> Tim
>
>
> On 18 January 2014 10:07, Marc Paré <marc at marcpare.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Daniel et al,
>>
>> I am just catching up on the discussion. While I can't really comment on
>> the technical aspects of the API, I would like to chime in on some of the
>> points you raise.
>>
>> I also agree that we need to be sensitive from where accountants are
>> coming; they are being taught in schools (whether high
>> school/college/university levels) using tools that are thought of as being
>> the most appropriate for their regions.
>>
>> Where I am hoping this project will go, is that somewhere along our
>> concerted efforts to build our NPO accounting tool, that we will ultimately
>> look at establishing a standard format with an eye on having it adopted as
>> a universal file format for all others to adopt and help maintain. Of
>> course it would have to be an opensourced format,  for which, if we are to
>> consider it, already limits us -- XML, etc. ...
>>
>> At this point, now that the project has legs I also agree with Daniel
>> that we should try to interest some international association that could be
>> interested in maintaining the standard as an open standard as well as
>> assure longevity to the format; or at least, that is what Daniel is
>> suggesting. I for one put a lot of stock in the OASIS and its series of
>> opendocument formats. As OASIS has support from many large opensource and
>> NPO's, to me, would prove to our advantage to try to interest them in this
>> particular project to see if they would be interested in helping document
>> and adopt whichever format we decide on standardizing. If this were
>> possible, we would a solid file format base to work from, and, protection
>> from the OASIS group of the longevity of the file format.
>>
>> In short, I believe that at this point, we should be considering the
>> assurance of the protection, longevity, standardization of whichever file
>> format this project will adopt. Also consider if, whoever will champion
>> this file format will have enough resources and industry partners to defend
>> the format from any type of patent action assault. IMO, if we were to
>> partner up with a group that specializes in opensource file formats such as
>> the OASIS group, then, the file format will gain help from a group that is
>> supported by many opensource and industry leaders, and also a group
>> renowned for meticulous documentation of formats with the input of its
>> stakeholder partners. Partnering with such groups will make for a more
>> stable and dependable file format that could evolve in a more concerted
>> effort by all of its stakeholders.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Marc
>>
>> [Disclaimer: I am part of the LibreOffice project -- marketing]
>>
>
>
> --
> Marc ParéMarc at MarcPare.comhttp://www.parEntreprise.com
> parEntreprise.com Supports OpenDocument Formats (ODF)
> parEntreprise.com Supports http://www.LibreOffice.org
>
>


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