Hello... My basic question is if using a MagmaReader is the best way to search a MagmaCollection for a SINGLE object...
Background information follows!
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I am using Magma to create a sort of Object-Based Warehouse for multiple Applications in a Healthcare Environment.
I have developed a pretty decent "batch loading" strategy that is based upon my knowledge of my own system limitations, which unfortunately is actually driving my Data Model. Basically, I have a PatientEncounter, which has multiple PatientEncounterElement(s) (demographics, coding information, billing information, etc...) which are pretty much tied directly to the systems and functions they come from, NOT exactly how it makes the most sense! However, this lets us batch update "pages" of PatientEncounterElement(s) at a time and limiting the number of ODBC calls required.
My question, though, is in my strategy for checking for NEW PatientEncounter(s). Basically I am searching through my live data over a date range (I have no triggers available, and most of our systems don't lend themselves to finding new patients that weren't there yesterday) and making sure the PatientEncounter is present in the Magma database like so:
EncounterReader>>updateEncounterListFrom: anAccountList "a collection of ODBCRow(s)" | i pat | i := 0. anAccountList do: [ :each | pat := PatientEncounter forAccount: each acct. pat ifNil: [ pat := PatientEncounter newAccount: each acct. pat admissionDate: each admDate. pat dischargeDate: each disDate. FMCMagmaClient demographics add: pat demographics. FMCMagmaClient encounters add: pat. i := i + 1. i > self pageSize ifTrue: [ FMCMagmaClient commitAndBegin. i := 0 ] ] ]. (i > 0) ifTrue: [ FMCMagmaClient commitAndBegin ]
Where FMCMagmaClient encounters, FMCMagmaDemographics, etc... return the MagmaCollections that hold those objects, and:
Class PatientEncounter>>forAccount: anAccountNumber | reader | reader := FMCMagmaClient encounters where: [ :each | each acct = anAccountNumber ]. reader size = 0 ifTrue: [ ^ nil ]. ^ reader first
and I have indexed #acct.
Anyway, checking for existing records and adding new ones as necessary seems to take longer than just updating existing records, which is to be expected, so I was wondering if this is the best way to check for existing records in my MagmaCollection.
Thanks, and take care,
Rob