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US Zip code, Post code accuarcy

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    US Zip code, Post code accuarcy

    Occasionally I note a zip code is missing from the DB that I got from Alpha years ago. I just checked the date of the DB and it is 1996.

    I decided to look on the web for a free DB and found one with lat. and long. In doing a relational subtract of the old A4 db minus the new there were around 1000 records created.

    In looking at the first half dozen in PR and MA in USPS data base the old A4 zips couldn't be found, 00903/5, 00964, 01433.

    Do zip codes get withdrawn or did Alpha do a poor job of creating the records in the first place. I haven't checked yet how many are in the new db which are not in A4, but 1000 superfluous records seem a bit high.

    Any comments
    Steve

    #2
    US Zip Codes

    Steve,

    Zipcodes change all the time. New ones are created, and boundaries probably get moved to accomodate the new ones. However, I don't know about existing zipcodes disappearing. Given what the USPS can do with mail, it's anyones guess what they do with zipcodes.

    Dave
    Dave Jampole
    www.customalpha.com

    Women and cats will do whatever they want. The sooner men and dogs realize that, the happier they will be.

    Comment


      #3
      Dave,

      Yes I can understand the new ones being created and in the example I downloaded there are around 1204 new with respect to my '96 Alpha DB. Some of them are military entries

      However, the ones which "no longer exist", seems a bit strange.

      Do you still have your 96 A4 list? I am just curious if 00903, 00904, 00905 are listed in your DB. I guess I shouldn't complain too much about extra data in a database when I have so much in my Alpha Files which should be sent to thr recycle bin but satill reside on my disk.

      Steve

      Comment


        #4
        US Zip Codes

        Steve,

        The oldest zipcode.dbf file I have is dated 12/21/2001. Neither 00903, 00904 nor 00905 are in it.

        Dave
        Dave Jampole
        www.customalpha.com

        Women and cats will do whatever they want. The sooner men and dogs realize that, the happier they will be.

        Comment


          #5
          Steve, zip codes do in fact disappear. You mentioned Massachusetts, where is where I am from. My father owns a business in Belmont, MA, which always used to be 02178. If you look up that zip code at the USPS web site, it will tell you that there is no such zip code. A few years back (I don't remember when at this point), it was changed to 02478 for some reason. 02178 continued to work for some time period, but I have no idea what would happen if you tried to use that zip code now.

          Alpha's zip code database has always come directly from the USPS itself. If there are any errors in it, those same errors should be in the USPS's own databases.

          Lenny Forziati
          Vice President, Internet Products and Technical Services
          Alpha Software Corporation

          Comment


            #6
            00903-00905

            I have a ZIPCODE database from Alpha Four dated 04-Apr-94. The 3 Zip Codes referenced ARE in there - in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

            Howard R. Elkes

            Comment


              #7
              Postal Zip Codes

              Postal Zip codes are available online for free. Just go to www.usps.com and you just type in the address and you will get the correct code. Sometimes they only give the 5 digit and not 9 digit. Mailing information such as Carrier Route, Delivery Point code and such are available by clicking on lind on output screen.

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