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Working on 2 computers

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    Working on 2 computers

    This is stuff I should probably know by now, and embarrassed to ask, but I have really only been developing on one computer, and am now going to be working on 2, back and forth.

    Unfortunately I don't know what steps to take to import the project into Alpha. In the past I have downloaded example projects, and have only parts of the project imported for some reason. So what steps are there to properly import a project into Alpha? (Using V11)

    #2
    Re: Working on 2 computers

    What I do is work on my laptop and desktop. I use SugarSync to sync my Alpha folder on both computers "in sync" at all times. Works great. If you are not referring to that, then I'm sorry.

    Edit: I do host my databases on a cheap VPS box so I can access them anywhere. I am planning on setting up mirroring with mySql. but again, it also depends if you are using SQL or DBF files.
    Last edited by pettechservices; 10-26-2012, 05:42 AM.

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      #3
      Re: Working on 2 computers

      So what steps are there to properly import a project into Alpha?
      I wouldn't use that term to describe the process.

      Alpha is the engine and your database is the project. To work on a database from two computers, non-networked, entails copying the database to the other machine, modifying it, and copying it back to the original. (Repeat each time you want to use the secondary machine.) In a networked situation you would copy the database to a network server and access it from either machine you like.
      There can be only one.

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        #4
        Re: Working on 2 computers

        Originally posted by The Mage View Post
        This is stuff I should probably know by now, and embarrassed to ask, but I have really only been developing on one computer, and am now going to be working on 2, back and forth.

        Unfortunately I don't know what steps to take to import the project into Alpha. In the past I have downloaded example projects, and have only parts of the project imported for some reason. So what steps are there to properly import a project into Alpha? (Using V11)
        http://www.dropbox.com

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          #5
          Re: Working on 2 computers

          Yep - I have everything saved in dropbox. So I can access it from anywhere on whatever computer I have A5 installed. Works perfect!

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Working on 2 computers

            Dropbox is fantastic. I'm routinely doing development of the same app on three machines, all in sync. I even have my development webroot set to a dropbox folder so my live preview stuff is always in sync as well.
            Jim Coltz
            Alpha Custom Database Solutions, LLC
            A5CustomSolutions.com
            [email protected]

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              #7
              Re: Working on 2 computers

              Jim - is there a way I can go and reassign my development webroot to dropbox, and do you know how? I am trying to do that now, unable to figure it out.

              Thanks, holly

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                #8
                Re: Working on 2 computers

                A word of caution using Dropbox, specifically with files like the aex and alb which have lots of functions or reports, etc, combined into a single file--don't try to change one function or one report on a machine and expect it to come across to the other machine correctly. It'll mess you up.

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                  #9
                  Re: Working on 2 computers

                  Originally posted by hjyon View Post
                  Jim - is there a way I can go and reassign my development webroot to dropbox, and do you know how? I am trying to do that now, unable to figure it out.

                  Thanks, holly
                  Sure Holly. The webroot is assigned in the web project's control panel. Select "Web" from the menu bar at the top of the screen and then "Application Server". On the "General" tab you set the "Document Root". Mine is set for C:\Dropbox\A5Webroot_V11
                  I keep separate web roots for each version of A5 for testing.

                  Chris,
                  I haven't had any problems yet. I was skeptical at first but so far the syncing has gone without a hitch. I'm constantly on three different machines.

                  I keep my Dropbox folder on all machines at c:\dropbox instead of the default. I keeps things cleaner in the long run.
                  Jim Coltz
                  Alpha Custom Database Solutions, LLC
                  A5CustomSolutions.com
                  [email protected]

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Working on 2 computers

                    Holly, I just wanted to make sure you asked the right question, because Jim answered the question you asked but I'm betting not the one you meant to ask. The webroot is the root for running your project on localhost. The project folder, where the source files are found and altered prior to being published to the webroot, can be found by going to Edit > Open project in explorer. You can put this folder wherever you'd like (including a dropbox folder), and just double-click on the adb file in the project folder to open the project in Alpha Five.

                    Jim, we're giving Dropbox another go as of this post and our need to collaborate more closely, and I have an optimistic hunch that version 11's separate saving of functions and report layouts etc helps, but there's no question that we screwed up the aex file by both working on functions in version 10.5. I'm glad it hasn't given you any trouble.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Working on 2 computers

                      Chris,
                      It sounds like you are wanting to use DropBox(DB) with more than one person. This is probably where you ran into trouble. DB works fine for use by one person who only edits in one location at a time. But if two are editing at the same time then their changes can be over written.
                      Tim Kiebert
                      Eagle Creek Citrus
                      A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have evolved from a simpler system that worked just fine.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Working on 2 computers

                        The easiest approach to collaborative development is to use a Check Out and Check In process.
                        But easy it isn't as a simple change to a Table Structure may affect a Set, so you need to check out the whole Set.
                        I suppose one way would be to have a dev platform, and when a table or set needed work, export it and drop it from the dev version pending reload and adding back.
                        See our Hybrid Option here;
                        https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


                        Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
                        You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Working on 2 computers

                          hi people

                          i saw this thread and thought il ask my question currently i have my alpha five database on one system but i wish to access it from another machine at the same time and be able to make changes to mu database and add new customers on each system at the same time is the dropbox the way to go with this or not


                          i have no idea please let me now

                          any info would be great im running alpha five version 7 is there benefits to upgrading to a newer version and how would it affect my current database

                          sorry for the questions just not sure in this aspect the databse was built by someone else but he has passed

                          thanks for reading

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Working on 2 computers

                            David, you are asking 2 questions.
                            1) Changing the Database might mean altering the structure. That is best done on ONE machine and the results copied to the other machine.
                            2) Changing data on both machines is dangerous if you have two databases operating separately.

                            The easiest way would be to make one database the primary one with the accurate data on it, and as you only have 2 computers, the other one would access the data on the primary. You don't need to complications of DropBox.

                            So, Primary has data, Secondary has a connection to the Primary and uses the tables on it for data input etc.
                            This means that if you need to change the structure of the tables on the primary, the results will automatically show on the Secondary.

                            If you have more than two computers accessing the data, you would be better off using a RunTime setup.
                            See our Hybrid Option here;
                            https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


                            Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
                            You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Working on 2 computers

                              Originally posted by Ted Giles View Post
                              David, you are asking 2 questions.
                              1) Changing the Database might mean altering the structure. That is best done on ONE machine and the results copied to the other machine.
                              2) Changing data on both machines is dangerous if you have two databases operating separately.

                              The easiest way would be to make one database the primary one with the accurate data on it, and as you only have 2 computers, the other one would access the data on the primary. You don't need to complications of DropBox.

                              So, Primary has data, Secondary has a connection to the Primary and uses the tables on it for data input etc.
                              This means that if you need to change the structure of the tables on the primary, the results will automatically show on the Secondary.

                              If you have more than two computers accessing the data, you would be better off using a RunTime setup.



                              Hi thanks for the fast response so basically as i understand it im better off leaving the database on my main computer and on my second computer open the database from the main computer iver my network and this way il be able to view the data and add data on both machines at the same time just want to double check it all


                              Thanks again

                              Comment

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