[GNC] The Meaning of Split (previously Example of multi-split feature of CSV importer?)

[Michael Hendry]

> On 22 Mar 2019, at 19:33, aeg via gnucash-user <gnucash-user at gnucash.org> wrote:


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I agree with Michael's points.A simple transaction consists of just one split but two parts, and saying (pretending) that a simple transaction has two splits is misleading.
I see no problems with the use of terms like 'simple transaction' (with one split and two parts) or with 'compound transactions' (with 2+ splits and 3+ parts), but it doesn't make sense to refer to the parts as splits. Why not just use the term 'parts' or 'transaction parts' or even invent a new word 'transparts'; (after all, GnuCash is a made up word too.)
Just because GnuCash developers previously defined the 'parts' of a transaction as 'splits' doesn't mean that the definition shouldn't be changed to make it clearer.
Kind regards,Alan


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Thanks for your support, Alan,

and also for the fact that your response demonstrates the incomprehensibility of the terminology!

QED

You say “A simple transaction consists of just one split…” This is not the case - a simple transaction involves two splits. Similarly, a compound transaction involves 3 or more splits.

The situation isn’t helped by the use of the term “Split Transaction” which appears in a register where there is a transaction with more than 2 splits. Does this mean (using Split as a noun) that the transaction is made up from splits, or (using it as a past participle) that the transaction is in a state of having been split. Replacing this with “Compound Transaction” would make it clear that there is more to see while not having any fundamental affect on underlying code or data.

Regards,

Michael