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  3. "Parenthetical Pluralization"

"Parenthetical Pluralization"

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  • D Offline
    D Offline
    dandy72
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

    Mike HankeyM P M J K 8 Replies Last reply
    0
    • D dandy72

      As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

      Mike HankeyM Offline
      Mike HankeyM Offline
      Mike Hankey
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      If 1 - Singular if 1 or more - Plural

      PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - An updated version available! JaxCoder.com Latest Article: ARM Tutorial Part 2 Timers

      D 1 Reply Last reply
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      • Mike HankeyM Mike Hankey

        If 1 - Singular if 1 or more - Plural

        PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - An updated version available! JaxCoder.com Latest Article: ARM Tutorial Part 2 Timers

        D Offline
        D Offline
        dandy72
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        But do you use the plural version using the parenthesis, is really my question. That's what my co-worker hates, to the point of having searched our entire codebase and checking in "corrections"... I'm okay with that...just wondering what the world at large thinks...

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • D dandy72

          As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

          P Offline
          P Offline
          PIEBALDconsult
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          I wouldn't put Parenthetical Pluralization in a UI. Even a Tooltip should be along the lines of "Select one or more Widgets", "Select up to ten Parties". In documentation sure, but only when it's a simple (s), (ies) is an abomination. Better to reword the statement to avoid the issue and possibly the meaning will be clearer as a result.

          N 1 Reply Last reply
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          • D dandy72

            As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

            M Offline
            M Offline
            Mycroft Holmes
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            What a waste of effort, 2 keys to insert a parenthwhatever and adds very little to the readability of the code, actually I think it detracts from the readability. Besides the information should be in the comments!

            Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP

            D 1 Reply Last reply
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            • P PIEBALDconsult

              I wouldn't put Parenthetical Pluralization in a UI. Even a Tooltip should be along the lines of "Select one or more Widgets", "Select up to ten Parties". In documentation sure, but only when it's a simple (s), (ies) is an abomination. Better to reword the statement to avoid the issue and possibly the meaning will be clearer as a result.

              N Offline
              N Offline
              Nelek
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              PIEBALDconsult wrote:

              In documentation sure, but only when it's a simple (s), (ies) is an abomination

              You should see what they are doing here in Germany with the genders in texts... :doh: :doh: :doh: X| X| X|

              M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

              D 1 Reply Last reply
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              • D dandy72

                As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

                J Offline
                J Offline
                jmaida
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Works for me. I use for clarity at little expense.

                "A little time, a little trouble, your better day" Badfinger

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • M Mycroft Holmes

                  What a waste of effort, 2 keys to insert a parenthwhatever and adds very little to the readability of the code, actually I think it detracts from the readability. Besides the information should be in the comments!

                  Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP

                  D Offline
                  D Offline
                  DerekT P
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  I think he's using it in the UI, not the code...

                  Telegraph marker posts ... nothing to do with IT Phasmid email discussion group ... also nothing to do with IT Beekeeping and honey site ... still nothing to do with IT

                  D 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • D dandy72

                    As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

                    K Offline
                    K Offline
                    kmoorevs
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Sorry, I don't like the parenthetical plural preferring instead plural sans-parentheses. :laugh: Anyway, thanks for the informal survey! We haven't had one in a while! :laugh: What really irks me is seeing something like '1 record(s) returned'. or worse '1 records returned'. C'mon, it only takes a few seconds to handle it correctly! :sigh:

                    "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse "Hope is contagious"

                    D J 2 Replies Last reply
                    0
                    • D dandy72

                      As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

                      L Offline
                      L Offline
                      Lost User
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      In Stock, On order, Invoice Items ... are more instructive. "Widget" is a "type of" field and maybe shouldn't even be a "label". Depends on the context.

                      "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • D dandy72

                        As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

                        J Offline
                        J Offline
                        jschell
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        dandy72 wrote:

                        I like to label my fields, listboxes...One of my coworkers hates this...What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal?

                        My preference is that people would recognize that a UI should be written with the user of the UI in mind and not the developer. That said of course for any UI that is actually going to get used substantially the user is not going to care about small oddities in how the boxes are labeled. After just a short while they will intuitively know what each box is without reading anything at all. What they do care about is that the UI and the rest of the application actually works. So might be better to focus on that.

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • D DerekT P

                          I think he's using it in the UI, not the code...

                          Telegraph marker posts ... nothing to do with IT Phasmid email discussion group ... also nothing to do with IT Beekeeping and honey site ... still nothing to do with IT

                          D Offline
                          D Offline
                          dandy72
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Yes, I'm talking about labels visible in the UI.

                          1 Reply Last reply
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                          • N Nelek

                            PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                            In documentation sure, but only when it's a simple (s), (ies) is an abomination

                            You should see what they are doing here in Germany with the genders in texts... :doh: :doh: :doh: X| X| X|

                            M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                            D Offline
                            D Offline
                            dandy72
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Nelek wrote:

                            You should see what they are doing here in Germany with the genders in texts...

                            That has crossed my mind. I'm French, and it's not uncommon to see those sorts of things in ordinary documents written in French, so maybe that's where I adopted the idea. My co-worker only speaks English; not being used to associate genders to nouns, I think, is the reason he sees this as being out of place.

                            N 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • K kmoorevs

                              Sorry, I don't like the parenthetical plural preferring instead plural sans-parentheses. :laugh: Anyway, thanks for the informal survey! We haven't had one in a while! :laugh: What really irks me is seeing something like '1 record(s) returned'. or worse '1 records returned'. C'mon, it only takes a few seconds to handle it correctly! :sigh:

                              "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse "Hope is contagious"

                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              dandy72
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              kmoorevs wrote:

                              '1 record(s) returned'. or worse '1 records returned'. C'mon, it only takes a few seconds to handle it correctly!

                              I do that, rather obsessively. :-) 1 is singular. Everything else gets an 's', including 0.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • K kmoorevs

                                Sorry, I don't like the parenthetical plural preferring instead plural sans-parentheses. :laugh: Anyway, thanks for the informal survey! We haven't had one in a while! :laugh: What really irks me is seeing something like '1 record(s) returned'. or worse '1 records returned'. C'mon, it only takes a few seconds to handle it correctly! :sigh:

                                "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse "Hope is contagious"

                                J Offline
                                J Offline
                                jschell
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                kmoorevs wrote:

                                C'mon, it only takes a few seconds to handle it correctly!

                                At least one time I was told that for grammatically correct Chinese that numbers change based on something. Not necessarily gender but perhaps even/odd. So not so easy if one wants to internationalize it. And if one wanted to use the written form of the number, so 'one' rather than '1' then gender would definitely play a role in multiple languages.

                                1 Reply Last reply
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                                • D dandy72

                                  Nelek wrote:

                                  You should see what they are doing here in Germany with the genders in texts...

                                  That has crossed my mind. I'm French, and it's not uncommon to see those sorts of things in ordinary documents written in French, so maybe that's where I adopted the idea. My co-worker only speaks English; not being used to associate genders to nouns, I think, is the reason he sees this as being out of place.

                                  N Offline
                                  N Offline
                                  Nelek
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  Are you trying to acomodate ALL gender forms in the same word? Example: Worker (m): Arbeiter Worker (f): Arbeiterin Workers (m): Arbeitern Workers (f): Arbeiterinnen Now you have to write: Arbeiter_innen, Arbeiter*innen, Arbeiter-innen... to be political correct. And you can not imagine how tiring it is to read a text full of that crap.

                                  M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                                  D 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • N Nelek

                                    Are you trying to acomodate ALL gender forms in the same word? Example: Worker (m): Arbeiter Worker (f): Arbeiterin Workers (m): Arbeitern Workers (f): Arbeiterinnen Now you have to write: Arbeiter_innen, Arbeiter*innen, Arbeiter-innen... to be political correct. And you can not imagine how tiring it is to read a text full of that crap.

                                    M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                                    D Offline
                                    D Offline
                                    dandy72
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    No, ultimately my UI is only targeting English, so gender is not an issue. In French, you Worker example would become: Travailleur(euse)(s) ...and I *have* seen such a thing in documentation. But still, I agree, if it went beyond just singular vs plural, I'd standardize on one thing only.

                                    N 1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • D dandy72

                                      No, ultimately my UI is only targeting English, so gender is not an issue. In French, you Worker example would become: Travailleur(euse)(s) ...and I *have* seen such a thing in documentation. But still, I agree, if it went beyond just singular vs plural, I'd standardize on one thing only.

                                      N Offline
                                      N Offline
                                      Nelek
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      dandy72 wrote:

                                      ...and I have seen such a thing in documentation.

                                      I have been told to correct my text with that X| X| X|

                                      dandy72 wrote:

                                      if it went beyond just singular vs plural, I'd standardize on one thing only.

                                      I tried... like writing a "for the sick of easiness and clarity only the femenine plural (so you are not called sexist) will be used. The best is... I couldn't do it X| X| X| X| X| X|

                                      M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • D dandy72

                                        As the subject line says - not something I came up with, but I like it. I stole it from [this](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/50885/parenthetical-pluralization-of-words-ending-in-y) discussion when researching the topic. In any case. Not a programming question. I like to label my fields, listboxes, etc so if the user is only allowed to make a single selection, the label is singular. If the user is allowed multiple selections (including just one), I like to indicate it as such by using a label such as "Widget(s)" (as opposed to "Widgets"). Maybe I'm thinking like a developer (or so I'm told), but to me the parens make it clear making multiple choices is possible, but still just an option. One of my coworkers hates this. Or to use the example from the discussion at the link above, something like "Party(ies)". What's your preference? Or has your company adopted something formal? I'm thinking this might be a good survey question.

                                        E Offline
                                        E Offline
                                        englebart
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Maybe use regular expression suffixes? Widget must select 1 Widget+ must select 1 or more Widget* may select 0 or more Widget? may select 0 or 1 Every coder will agree. Suffix should be added automatically based on setter methods argument. 0 maps to nullable type or List. Widget -> setWidget(Widget w) Widget+ -> setWidget(List list) Widget* -> setWidget(List? list) Widget? -> setWidget(Widget? w) I would probably still pass an empty list to the * method over a null. Widget spelling is start to look really weird after typing it so many times! Good luck!

                                        D 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • E englebart

                                          Maybe use regular expression suffixes? Widget must select 1 Widget+ must select 1 or more Widget* may select 0 or more Widget? may select 0 or 1 Every coder will agree. Suffix should be added automatically based on setter methods argument. 0 maps to nullable type or List. Widget -> setWidget(Widget w) Widget+ -> setWidget(List list) Widget* -> setWidget(List? list) Widget? -> setWidget(Widget? w) I would probably still pass an empty list to the * method over a null. Widget spelling is start to look really weird after typing it so many times! Good luck!

                                          D Offline
                                          D Offline
                                          dandy72
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          englebart wrote:

                                          Maybe use regular expression suffixes?

                                          I'm already being told I'm "thinking too much like a programmer" and that normal people get confused by that. I don't think regular expression suffixes would go over very well. :-)

                                          E 1 Reply Last reply
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