http://qs321.pair.com?node_id=332004

blue_cowdawg has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I have some ideas on how to do what I want, but I thought I would pose this question as I know that some of the monks may come up with better ideas than mine.

The problem

I have collected some data (blood glucose levels) over about a 4 week period of time. The correlation I would like to do is an average of those readings by time of day. For instance if you look at a subset of the data that I have collected I have:
 

Blood Glucose by Date

Date
and
Time
Blood Glucose
Hg/Ml
2004-02-01 07:0182
2004-02-01 11:38172
2004-02-01 22:48154
2004-02-02 05:38107
2004-02-02 13:20117
2004-02-02 23:48188
 
As you can see by the subset of data my sample times do not occur at exactly the same times every day depending on my schedule, when I get up, what dumb meetings interrupt my flow, etc.

What I want to do is average these readings by time of day such that I calculate averages for from 4:30AM (when I get up days I go to the gym) all the way through until midnight. Some interpolation is going to be called for since I do not test every hour and my samples are essentially 3 to 4 a day (more when I feel crappy).

Thoughts anyone?


Peter L. Berghold -- Unix Professional
Peter at Berghold dot Net
   Dog trainer, dog agility exhibitor, brewer of fine Belgian style ales. Happiness is a warm, tired, contented dog curled up at your side and a good Belgian ale in your chalice.