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

[Christopher Lam]

I'll throw some more confusion I'm afraid. I'd think a Split is somewhat
unique to GnuCash, for better or for worse. I don't think there's an
equivalent word in general usage. If we define Split as a "that which links
Transactions to Accounts" then there's no confusion here.

Technically a Transaction can have 1 Split - in an account register, input
a date, description/memo/notes, and leave the rest blank -- presto, a
single-split transaction with no account, no amount or amount = 0, and the
engine will accept it. This single-split transaction will appear in the
Transaction Report, and causes no harm. You can use this for annotating
accounts "01/01/2018 - new year - new tenant moves in - monthly $500 rent
expected". Does any other bookkeeping software allow this?

A 2-Split transaction is the most common transfer involving 2 separate
accounts, and is displayed as a shortcut for newbies.

A 3-Split (or more links 3 accounts or more together), useful for complex
transfers involving taxes withheld, or mortgage/capital/interest
repayments, or complex payroll entries.

I don't think there's a compelling argument to rename 20 years of history...

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
>
>
>
>
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