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Backup problem

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    Backup problem

    I use several Alpha dbs in work and I restore them on my home computer for security reasons. When I restore the db Alpha creates a new folder in the directory and inserts the restored db there. I end up with 2 versions of the db - the old one in the original folder and the newly restored one in a new folder? I will post some pics to explain in case I am not making sense. This is a very simple db for sending colleagues internal messages



    Before restore

    Alpha 1.JPG

    After restore

    Alpha 2.JPG

    Alpha 3.JPG
    Gil Smith

    #2
    Re: Backup problem

    I would suggest that instead of backing up you use the Zip Workspace from the Tools menu. Uncheck everything and then select the dbf's (and support files?) you want to transport. Copy the zip as you normally would the backup. Then just unzip the zip to your home location.
    There can be only one.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Backup problem

      There has been lots of discussion about Alpha's built in Backup/Restore and most of us just use a normal zip program like PKZip, WinZip, to back up the entire project folder. That puts you solidly in charge of what gets backed up, and where it is restored. This habit would take care of your folder problem. Second, it is not the best practice to put your files in "My Documents" or similar, just put them under something very clean like c:\_masters\messages. Not mandatory, but much easier if you have lots of projects and takes care of a general rule to not have embedded spaces in any folder or document name.
      Steve Wood
      See my profile on IADN

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Backup problem

        I have found that Cobian Backup Gravity (free) is an excellent backup system... http://www.cobian.se/cobianbackup.htm

        take the hour or so necessary to understand the various protocols...

        I say this because I have found that most people have a good backup plan but a lousy recovery plan!!!

        Don't forget that there are many reasons for wanting to make backups eg:
        - you get a virus (a simple backup that overwrites the previous one will simply restore your virus)
        - a user enters incorrect / malicious data
        - your computer dies
        - your server burns up in a fire (hope not!)... offsite / cloud backup is important
        - theft of computer
        - development has produced a cascading and destructive effect on the application and you need to 'roll-back' to a development state that existed weeks or months ago
        (this is why it is a good idea to backup the program files separately from the data files)

        etc etc etc

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Backup problem

          7zip is free and also works well.

          I have several websites, so a weekly zip of my work is saved in zip format to one of the sites via ftp. Also a backup is on the google cloud.

          There is something to be said for the separation of the data files and the supporting files. If you save the data files(dbf/fpt) to one location and the ddm, ddx, etc to another, they should be safer.

          We, being several of us, should devise an automatic backup that can be run from within alpha to do a proper backup using an exact set of tools and methods where the end user could simply push a button within an app and it is done. Possibly a free zip tool could be agreed on? It can be done and I have done it for certain clients, but not to the level where it would be good for all.

          Thought? It could be run after database close with a schedule, so no interference of live data? Possibly even use a batch file in there somewhere? If not too complicated, I would be willing to compile an exe in VB(I am super rusty with it).
          Last edited by DaveM; 02-26-2015, 11:18 AM.
          Dave Mason
          [email protected]
          Skype is dave.mason46

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Backup problem

            There's already a zip tool in Alpha. It may or may not be the best but since it is there it gives you a point of standardization.
            There can be only one.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Backup problem

              Thanks boys for the advice and info. I zipped the files from the Tools menu on the control panel at the office and extracted them into the folder at home where the db is. I was expecting a message asking if I wished to overwrite the original files. However it didn't. I got the same result as before with an additional folder being created which contained the restored version of the database. I therefore ended up with 2 versions of the database again! The only way I could get round this was to delete all the files in the original folder and then copy the newer files into the same folder. I then deleted the additional folder. Seems like a roundabout way of doing it though!
              Gil Smith

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Backup problem

                You just need to know how to extract files from a zip. If you zipped up "c:\myfolder" to a file named myfolder.zip, then if you extract that inside of c:\myfolder you WILL have multiple folders. In this example you need to extract the myfolder.zip in to the c: root folder, which will re-use the existing c:\myfolder (and likely ask if you want to overwrite).
                Steve Wood
                See my profile on IADN

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Backup problem

                  Alternatively open the zip you created, select all files, choose extract, and specify the home database folder. IF the extract option doesn't allow that you should be able to copy and paste from the zip to the home database folder.
                  Last edited by Stan Mathews; 02-26-2015, 07:38 PM.
                  There can be only one.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Backup problem

                    I have a job coming up in a month or so where a backup is one of the big keys to success. If I can put it together right, I will share it in the code archive.

                    I searched google to find this and hope it helps others. http://www.dotnetperls.com/7-zip-examples It is a command line guide for 7 zip. That should make it useable to call from alpha possibly with sys_shell(). If it were called as the user was leaving the app, it would run to do the backup. A button placed in the right spot could let the data(or) be retrieved.

                    I am sure there are command line arguments for other zip utilities as well.
                    Dave Mason
                    [email protected]
                    Skype is dave.mason46

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Backup problem

                      Thanks chaps for all the info and great advice. All is now tickety boo.

                      Gil
                      Gil Smith

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Backup problem

                        Hi - Just a side note, I use Cal Locklin's (AIMs Datacom, Inc) backup and restore routine. I can chose to backup either data, just the application or data and the application. I usually backup data (routinely) to a thumb drive and then restore it to my other pc very easily. This zips the files and gives you several choices ie any drive (D:, E:, ect or DVD, ect). The routines are very well documented and Cal has given me permission to write my own .chm file for my apps. I am a firm believer in the KISS principle and Cal's documentation is superb (very detailed - which was helpful to me when I started using it). Including his routine in my apps has saved me tons of time and I have learned a lot from Cal. (BTW - Thank you Cal.)

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Backup problem

                          Question>>

                          Is there a way to put the zip function under a button on a form?

                          Gene

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Backup problem

                            What is "the zip function"?

                            a5_zip_db_dialog()

                            will call the Zip Database menu choice which will warn that the table/form upon which the button resides is open.
                            There can be only one.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Backup problem

                              Backups on any application are best done after the application is closed. Alpha has a way for things to be done after the db is closed.
                              Dave Mason
                              [email protected]
                              Skype is dave.mason46

                              Comment

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