With the widespread use of computer systems for tracking swimmer performances, producing ranking reports and aiding team selection and meet entry tasks the underlying rules and programming libraries are now being freely released for use across the sport.
Implementing the necessary computation in a computer program is relatively straight forward. However there are a number of issues of which to be aware. The main ones being:
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Accuracy of the correction factors for distance covered and for turn benefit. |
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Care with the accuracy of computation and the correct rounding of computed times. |
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Ensuring that correction factors applicable in British swimming are kept up to date. |
This new release is in two forms:
In order to maximise consistency SPORTSYSTEMS has made the Dynamic Link Library (DLL) available to systems developers, whether individual or commercial. With this DLL made available from only one source, currently the SPORTSYSTEMS web site, systems developers do not have to expend effort, nor risk erroneous results, in ensuring that the time conversion is consistent with the published ASA Tables for all combinations of distance, stroke, pool length and achieved time. Neither would they have to rework software if or when the conversion parameters are updated. The DLL is made available as Freeware and subject only to the acknowledgement conditions provided with the download file set.
A description of the method used and the conversion factors associated with each of the nine pool lengths that occur in UK swimming.
This approach is provided to enable other (non-Microsoft) software developers to provide the same conversion capabilities in non-Microsoft computer language or operating system environments.
For those who intend to develop their own software a number of key issues must be emphasised:
It is the programmers total responsibility to ensure that their developed solution gives exactly the same converted times as the definitive ASA version. This definitive version is either the printed tables from the ASA or the Equivalent Performances program provided by SPORTSYSTEMS.
The above, in turn, requires that:
The supplied conversion factors are accurately retained and that all computation is done to the necessary accuracy to achieve the same converted time.
The rounding of times to the tenth of a second resolution is consistent with the definitive converted time.
The only event and pool length combinations catered for are those covered by the ASA Equivalent Performance Tables or the SPORTSYSTEMS computer program.
The stand alone Windows based program for EQUIVALENT PERFORMANCE TABLES has been available for download from both the British Swimming and SPORTSYSTEMS web sites since 2004.