[Advacs-discuss] Prepayments

[David Palmer]

Helmut Wollmersdorfer wrote:

> Oliver Elphick wrote:
> <snip>
>
>> This requires a separate projects module; it is too much detail for
>> companies that are merely buying and selling goods.  We should try to
>> separate detailed requirements like that out from the standard modules,
>> so that they don't cause confusion to people who neither need nor
>> understand them.
>
>
> Don't be afraid. With your method of accruals and control accounts the 
> above will be easy for a skilled accountant. Your design seems to 
> avoid the pitfalls and restrictions (and necessary work-arounds) of 
> german-style ledgers.
>
> I only try to apply more complex cases to the design. In my opion and 
> experience the core architecture is the most important thing for the 
> success of software developement. It should be as abstract and easy as 
> possible to cover all possible cases without restrictions. I think, we 
> are very near to the 3rd stage = easy, and left out most of the 
> preceding stages (1st = primitive, 2nd = complex). SQL-Ledger did it 
> the hard way, beginning with only one business model in mind, the 
> small box moving company which sells from stock, "fire & forget". They 
> experienced incremental requirements and hard redesigns in the last 
> two years and seem to be somewhere in the stage "complex".
>
This is the crux, I feel.
The aspect of planning is what determines the success of any venture, 
and should absorb as much as 90% of the time factor. It's an old saying 
of mine, 'The success or failure of a business is determined, before the 
door is opened for the first day of trading'. First rule of business, - 
explore all options. Second rule, - explore all options thoroughly.

The modular design is good as it provides the flexibility to adapt the 
programme to all environments.
Simplicity is important because this is where sophistication lives.
Is it possible to create the modules as separate packages, to be 
downloaded as each scenario requires them?
That is, create the GL as a separate base module/package, and then 
create all other modules as add-ons.
Is this an option?
Regards,

David.