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Statistics and Aliases

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    #1

    Statistics and Aliases

    Hi folks
    Two new problems for you to ponder if you will be so kind:

    1. If I right-click a table in Control Panel and select Statistics, A5V5 locks up, necessitating a CtrlAltDel to close A5 down.

    2. I have an app (currently in A4V6) which I want to migrate to A5V5. The data is kept on a server which is mapped as F: drive on my office computer. For example, I have f:\header.dbf and f:\items.dbf and so on.
    On my home computer (where I do all the development work until 3am (!)) I have set up a dedicated hard drive labelled F: which enables me to simulate the server at the office. So far so good - that bit works fine.
    However, I need to show the app to the office staff now and then to get their opinions on what I am doing. I am unwilling to use the live data on the server for these demonstrations, so would like to have a copy of the data on my office computer, to be accessed by the new A5 app.
    I have played with the Aliases function but can't seem to get it to work. I have also tried to point the tables (using Control Panel) to my local drive but can't seem to edit those references.
    How can I achieve this, and what is the "best practise" way of setting up the tables so as to avoid these mapping problems in the first place?
    A5V5 is certainly the way forward for me, but the required mindset change is hurting a little!
    TIA
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: Statistics and Aliases

    1. When I right click on a table, Statistics is not an option. Where are you finding it?

    2. Why can't you simply show them what you have at home and/or at the office and not use the app on the server? Keep them completely separate.

    kenn
    TYVM :) kenn

    Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

    Comment

      #3
      RE: Statistics and Aliases

      Hi Ken

      1. Control Panel, right-click a set, select "Properties" and the set information is displayed. The third tab is "Statistics".

      2. I'm trying to keep them separate by using a COPY of the real data. I want the copy data to be on my office machine's HDD (so I don't run any risk of corrupting the REAL data), but the app is being developed on my home machine where it is set up to look for the tables on F: drive.
      When I open my new app on my office machine it therefore naturally looks for the data on F:, which is mapped to the REAL data on the server. I want it to look on my local HDD for the copy of the data. I feel that the ALIASING facility holds the answer but can't get it to work for me.

      All I want to do is provide a regular demo of the app as it develops, so I can be told which features they like and which need working on.

      The answer is highly obvious, I am sure...

      Paul

      Comment

        #4
        RE: Statistics and Aliases

        Paul,

        I have somewhat the same situation. My client is on a 40-50 uses metwork, with the server mapped as drive S: where the .dbf files reside. Each user has a full copy of A5V5 on his/her computer along with a copy of my application. My development work is done at home on my C: drive.

        I guess that if I wanted to simulate your situation, I could use Partition Magic and partition my hard drive and designate it as S: (in my case).

        When my client sends me a backup, I get a copy of the current .dbf files. When I take or send updates to them, I send or take everything EXCEPT the datafiles and this seems to work without any problems.

        Could you try this or the Partion Magic option as possible fixes to your problem?

        Dave
        Dave Jampole
        www.customalpha.com

        Women and cats will do whatever they want. The sooner men and dogs realize that, the happier they will be.

        Comment

          #5
          RE: Statistics and Aliases

          Hi Dave
          The Partition Magic solution won't work because I already use F: on the office computer - the data on the server is mapped as F: on it.

          I guess what I really need to do is somehow get A5 to intercept the references to F: and substitute my local hard drive, where I will have a copy of the data. I thought that's what the Aliasing function would do, but although it does seem to accept the instruction from me to alias the F: drive as a subdirectory on C:. it doesn't seem to work.

          There must be an easy way to do this - hundreds of developers must be doing the same thing. I't only like transporting an app, isn't it?

          Paul

          Comment

            #6
            RE: Statistics and Aliases

            Paul,

            Could you do this: when you go to demo an update of the development project, copy the current .dbf files to a temp or test folder on drive F: along with your work. Show it and let your users play with it to their hearts content. They wont'd be interacting with the 'real' .dbf files.

            Dave
            Dave Jampole
            www.customalpha.com

            Women and cats will do whatever they want. The sooner men and dogs realize that, the happier they will be.

            Comment

              #7
              RE: Statistics and Aliases

              Dave

              But that means having to point the table locations (in Control Panel) to a new, temp, folder on F: which is what I am trying to avoid.

              How many s/ware developers have grey hair?
              Or none at all!!

              Paul

              Comment

                #8
                RE: Statistics and Aliases

                Paul,

                I'm in hair group B.

                If you copy the .dbf files (tables) to a 'development' folder along with your work, you should only have to select the new folder once, when you open the 'Recent Databases' dialog on initial startup. From that point on, the Recent Database dialog will have the development folder listed and all the users will have to do is click it.

                Dave
                Dave Jampole
                www.customalpha.com

                Women and cats will do whatever they want. The sooner men and dogs realize that, the happier they will be.

                Comment

                  #9
                  RE: Statistics and Aliases

                  >>what is the "best practise" way of setting up the tables so as to avoid these mapping problems in the first place?

                  So long as all an application's files are contained in a sngle folder Alpha does not code absolute paths so you can copy the folder whereever you want. You don't have to "point" anything. Just open the application wherever it is which should be on the server. You do not want as many copies of your application as you have users.

                  Finally, look into network optimization. This produces big speed improvements.

                  Bill
                  Bill Hanigsberg

                  Comment

                    #10
                    RE: Statistics and Aliases

                    Aha!
                    Thanks William, it's now making sense. I will set it up that way and see how it goes now. In my days of writing A4V6 scripts, I seem to remember it was necessary to code paths into each script (or maybe I was wrong all along?). That's why I continued this thinking into V5.

                    There will eventually be three separate apps running concurrently, each accessing the same tables (or at least some of them). Presumably all 3 apps go in the same folder on the server as the tables.

                    I will look into network optimisation alongside developing the app.

                    Again, many thanks.

                    Paul

                    Comment

                      #11
                      RE: Statistics and Aliases

                      Paul:

                      A down-and-dirty way to 'map' a drive letter to a local 'c-drive' folder (let's call it c:\folder) is to use the old DOS subst command.

                      Disconnect your 'F-Drive' currently mapped to the server, and type the following at a command prompt (i.e., c:> prompt):

                      subst f: c:\folder

                      To disconnect the substitution:

                      subst f: /d

                      This should work in all versions of Windows. I've successfully done this in 95, 98, NT, 2000 and XP. I'm not sure about ME, since Microsoft 'removed' the DOS prompt (and I've never used Win ME).

                      Hope this helps,

                      George

                      Comment

                        #12
                        RE: Statistics and Aliases

                        Thanks George
                        That's another option to remember.
                        DOS still has many uses!

                        Kind regards
                        Paul

                        Comment

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