Talis Developer Network - Changing Loan Type on Current Loans - Comments

Updating loan type addl

Chris Langham — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:51:39 +0000

Thanks for your prompt reply.
LOAN_ID - I will get this from the LETTER_SNT table. I'll write a perl program to extract all of the loans which generated a final overdue X days ago, ignoring all those which have been subsequently returned (or renewed!).

You are right in that these loans should not have been renewed, but there has been at least one incident where the item has been renewed. I wasn't aware that there was a difference in fine calculation between discharge and renewal, but since we currently only change the loan type for recalled items (these shouldn't be renewed), the problem hasn't been spotted.

Many thanks for your help.

Chris Langham
Deputy Systems Librarian
Birmingham City University

Updating loan type

Brian Crampton — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:35:13 +0000

The SQL you gave will update all rows connected to the LOAN_ID and not the current issue or renewal row. This may not be a problem but it might be better to include the lines

and CURRENT_LOAN='T'
and STATE in (0,1)

I'm not sure where you are getting the LOAN_ID value. I assume you are not going to run the SQL manually for each affected loan.

However you have to be careful with loans that are renewed. If there is a fine due on renewal the loan type as calculated from the parameters will be used and not the value in the current loan row for the loan. I'm guessing you will not be renewing such long overdue loans but it is possible.

In discharge the loan type from the current issue/renewal row in the LOAN table is used.

Unfortunately the loa_long_odue script doesn't allow the loan type to be changed. It is possible to change the item status and to add item and/or borrower messages. These could be used to flag up on the return of the item that an additional charge needs to be added or potentially the script could be used to change the loan type or add a miscellaneous charge.

You should also be aware that the changes could affect the results of any analysis of data by loan type.

Thanks

Brian Crampton
Developer, Talis

Changing Loan Type on Current Loans

Chris Langham — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:40:42 +0000

I need to change the Loan Type on some loans. Is it as straightforward as:
update LOAN
set LOAN_TYPE=..
where LOAN_ID=..

Or are there other implications to consider?