Double-entry explanation

[Diane Mackay]

Jon Lapham wrote:
> I was reading through Chapter 2 of the GnuCash Concepts Guide, 
> specifically section "2.2.2 Double Entry", in which we define and give 
> an example of double entry accounting.
> 
> see:
> http://www.gnucash.org/docs/v1.8/C/gnucash-guide/basics_entry1.html#basics_dbentry2 
> 
> 
> I think the inclusion of the split transaction example (the paycheck) is 
> a little too much to chew for a new user this early in the Concepts 
> Guide.  I like the other examples that involve 2 accounts (buying 
> groceries and the simple income example)... but I think that a split 
> transaction is something most new users need some time to understand. 
> And, in this section, I think we are really just trying to get people to 
> grasp the concept of double entry.
> 
> So, I propose to remove the split transaction example.  Comments? 
> Objections?
> 
> I think we should still *reference* the fact that you can do multiple 
> account transactions, and give a link to a later part of the 
> documentation that explains split transactions in more detail (chapter 4).
> 
> Nice side effect of this is to make this section shorter.  It is pretty 
> long as it is.
> 
Hi,

I agree that the split transaction for the pay check may be a bit too 
much here (but I think it is good to have an explanation of a split 
transaction somewhere in the docs).  A simpler example might be better 
to depict the double entry concept.  Perhaps it would be good to have 
two examples:  a very simple transaction and a more complicated split 
transaction.  But a split transaction example could be placed into a 
different section, and (kinda) pick up where this double entry 
explanation ends.

Diane