Hierarchy for Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	$ 4,717	$ 5,717
Investments in auction rate securities	15,670	20,171
Total assets	20,387	25,888
Interest rate swap	253	445
Total liabilities	253	445
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	4,717	5,717
Total assets	4,717	5,717
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap	253	445
Total liabilities	253	445
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in auction rate securities	15,670	20,171
Total assets	$ 15,670	$ 20,171