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Development considerations for multiuser environment

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    Development considerations for multiuser environment

    I have been using Alpha 5 for about 14 months now, having made a couple of small personal applications and one for a person that runs his own small business. I have learned a lot reading this board and constantly reading the documentation. I haven't gotten the hang of this Wiki yet, and still struggle searching for answers, but find most. This one I have not found, so I am asking. I am really a rookie at database design and development, and I am entering a project that will require the application to be accessed by multiple users. I don't know the specific considerations that are required when designing and writing code for a multiple user app. I have read much about strategies to get unique identifying id numbers and security. I haven't found much on things like when it is necessary/preferred to open a table exclusive, or what circumstances introduce user conflicts in data writing that a developer needs to know about for multi user apps. Could someone point me in a direction for a good read or reference for this. Thanks.

    jmike

    #2
    Re: Development considerations for multiuser environment

    Mike
    There are multi-user "hotspots"- like any programming medium.
    Depending on where your previous programming experience lies, some new issues may need addressing.
    see here http://wiki.alphasoftware.com/Multi-...e+Applications

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Development considerations for multiuser environment

      Hi Ray,
      My nickname is JMichael, so that's how I signed in. Thanks much for that link. I might have found it had I hyphenated the word multiuser

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Development considerations for multiuser environment

        I got it Jmike (hope so),

        Articles are a bit dry and general.
        Experience is the real education in multi user planning.
        IMHO;-Multi user integration is specific for each scenario. Alpha takes care of most.
        Something I have found useful is to think, as you create forms and code that write data, "what if someone else is doing this" (or something else related while I am doing this) right now.

        When beta testing the app have another "user" in the same set or form, just open (use runtime). Elementary conflict will show. Check the resultant data on the other.
        Err on the side of caution, like, lock tables when unsure (say during critical update). The user will feedback if that causes a bottleneck, but it won't corrupt data. If the update is reasonable (quick) Alpha will wait long enough before returning an error to another user.

        One could go on discussing backup, rollovers etc - ask as you get specific topics.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Development considerations for multiuser environment

          Good advice, Ray. I will proceed with those thoughts in mind.

          JMike

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Development considerations for multiuser environment

            Hi Ray;

            I presume you're "more seasoned" with a5 than I am... But here's a link I kept for reference regarding multi-user considerations. It might be of use to someone. http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ork-enviroment (I think it's worth reading the entire thread, along with it's associated links thoroughly.)

            I also know it's beneficial/imperative to topparent.commit() as soon as possible, before all the header table data is saved so that when you're adding a new record, you're "editing it" instead of "adding it." (To avoid internal table record locking issues.)
            Last edited by SNusa; 02-17-2013, 09:53 PM.
            Robert T. ~ "I enjoy manipulating data... just not my data."
            It's all about the "framework." (I suppose an "a5-induced" hard drive crash is now in order?)
            RELOADED: My current posting activity here merely represents a "Momentary Lapse Of Reason."

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Development considerations for multiuser environment

              Yes Robert, thanks for the consideration.
              I had followed that thread post by post as it developed.
              The main topic around which all the various posts meandered was the invoicing aspect - header data , autonumbering or not, invoice numbers and record locking.
              When the question is specific to that aspect, that is a good thread to read. I wouldn't think as a definitive guide, It may be a bit confusing to a newcomer to multi-user in general and some mildly conflicting opinions were offered. That time will come.
              I'm advising very generally to all aspects of a business system- include Master file record creation and management, Indexing, avoid overwriting others edits, login etc etc too many to be covered and that don't apply the same concerns and principles as invoicing which become quite specific.

              I definitely don't even suspect that I am more seasoned than you in alpha although I have been through the mill settling down over 350 registered small businesses over the years, dbf based multi-user integrated systems. Most with specific changes. Finding resolution to the rare problems is the challenge.
              I am finding now with Alpha that a lot of the manual lock, check, wait & unlock operations are unnecessary as Alpha does them, but the rest of the same issues need to be covered in the design.

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