Changing the application directory

[Don Bartlett]

I was wondering if anybody can help me with this situation -
I have an application that, while crude, is functioning OK.
What I would like to do is leave this app. as is and copy all its' files to another directory where I can continue to tinker without breaking something that is already working.
Simply copying to a new directory does not seem to work, as the path still seems to point back to the original files.
Any help is much appreciated.

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Changing the application directory

Don, your question comes up from time to time, usually in the context of copying a database so that it can be transferred to another pc. The short answer is that if you originally designed the database so that all of it's tables and sets are located in the same directory (folder) as the database file itself the entire kit and kaboodle is portable. Otherwise, the database dictionary embeds (hardcodes) physical path statements for each table or set you add that is external to the database file's folder. The hardcoded path statements are retained when you copy the files to another location, and since the paths have changed the database no longer works correctly.

-- tom

[Don Bartlett]

RE: Changing the application directory

Thanks for your help Tom but I still must be misunderstanding something here.
My apps are set up as you describe, ie: 'main folder' then 'sub-folders' of that to contain tables, databases etc.
My problem is if I copy the app. in folder/subfolders 'A' into folder/subfolders 'B', changes made to the app. in 'B' are reflected in the app. in 'A'.

[Robert Adler]

RE: Changing the application directory

Don:

Did you copy the app to the new folder using windows explorer?


bob adler

[Geoffrey Hollander]

RE: Changing the application directory

Don,

Tom is right. Another way that you can avoid this problem is to set some global memory variables at the outset by specifying your application's directory and table paths in the autoexec script.

EXAMPLE:

DIM global HomeDir as C 'Directory
DIM global WorkDir as C 'Directory
DIM global Settings as C 'Table


' First I get the directory from which
' the application has been started:

HomeDir = dir_get()

' My application uses another directory
' which is nested in the "Home Directory"
' and where processing is performed;
' called the "Staging Directory":

WorkDir = HomeDir+"staging"

' Finally, I load the paths to specific
' tables I will be using this way:

Settings = HomeDir+"settings.dbf"

This works well from any directory from which you start your application (by launching the .ADB file).

Note that Tom is right on about keeping your files together. If you need to resort to additional directories, I think that it's best to nest them into one main application directory to simplify declaration and subesequeent retrieval of your application's various paths.

Hope this helps as well...

Regards,

Geoff Hollander

[Michael Humby]

RE: Changing the application directory

Don,

I think that what you may have done is left the Database files in the program folder or somewhere. If all files are in the one folder you can have as many copies as you wish.

When you copy the folder that contains your application, make sure that the Database .ADB, .ALX, .ALB, .ALM files are included.(The .ADB extension is not always visible) You will then have a completely portable copy.

I always make any drastic changes to a copy of the original, this way you can always go back again if you mess up.

Michael

[Don Bartlett]

RE: Changing the application directory

Michael-
Thank you and all those others that offered help.
When you say put all files in one directory, I assume you mean exactly that (no sub-directories for sets, tables etc.)? If so that is where I went wrong, as I copied the directory structure for the applications in the templates that come with A5. I may try backing up my data/app. and then move all files into one directory, although from what I have read from other posts it may not be that simple.

[urbanski]

RE: Changing the application directory

You're right, all the files should be in one folder without sub directories for different tables. I have never done this but .... Assume the ap is in a folder called application. Make a new directory (folder) called application2 then copy everything from application to application 2 (including sub directories).
It can't hurt to try
let us know if this works
Regards
Jim