How can I copy a project

[[email protected]]

I want to start revising a current project. I would like to copy an existing project to a new folder and rename it so I can work in the newly created project without affecting the existing project. Is there an easy way of doing this?

[Keith Hubert]

Re: How can I copy a project

How about zipping it up and saving the zip in the new folder.

[[email protected]]

Re: How can I copy a project

Yea, I think I tried that but it didn't take any of the code with it. I would have to recreate all of the functions. Then I couldn't figure how to rename the project either. Maybe I'm making it harder than it needs to be.

[Clipper87]

Re: How can I copy a project

Richard,

In Control Panel use Tools/Zip workspace that does copy the whole project. Unzip it in another folder (be carefull no to overwrite the existing project)

Steve Wood has an excellent batch file that comes with his Web Template for renaming a complete project (all files), I don't know if he makes that generally available. You could PM him.

[Steve Wood]

Re: How can I copy a project

I posted that utility in the Code Archive just now - http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...738#post631738

[[email protected]]

Re: How can I copy a project

Thanks, I'll give that a try

[[email protected]]

Re: How can I copy a project

Steve,
I finally got around to trying the copy_a5_project. I can't get it to work. I must be doing something wrong. Here is what I did.

I ZIPPED the database, created a new folder "Permit_Portal" coped the zipped file to that folder and unzipped it.
When I unzipped the file it created a sub folder within the "Permit_Portal" folder named like the orginal. I moved all files out of the sub folder to the Permit_Portal folder.

I copied the "copy_a5_project" file to the "Permit_Portal" folder.

Ran your program.
Typed Go
input the template folder name, which I believed to be the folder where the project resided that I wished to rename. In this case - C:\Users\Richard Mumma\Documents\Alpha5_ver11\Permit_Portal
entered the new project name "Permit_Portal"

The program created a long string of error messages, most stating the file could not be found
The program created a new sub folder "Permit_Portal" but it was empty.
I sure I'm not understanding one of the input commands but not sure which.

[Steve Wood]

Re: How can I copy a project

Rule 1 is to never ever place your projects in MyDocuments or any folder that has embedded spaces*. Store your projects in something simple like c:\a5projects.

But also, the copy_a5_project.bat file does not go in the project subfolder, it goes one level up. Like this:

If you had two projects stored in a5projects, they might look like this:

c:\a5projects\myproject1
c:\a5projects\myproject2

Then the copy_a5_project.bat file would be in c:\a5projects folder.


*It really is Rule#1, in this document: A5 Project Guidelines

[[email protected]]

Re: How can I copy a project

OK, I moved the project per your recommendation. And the batch file worked, I now have a copy.
Thanks for the Project Guidelines, I had not seen that before.
After reading the guidelines I have one question. It appears when I am creating a table that would have a PK, you recommend name that field PK and not something like "PermitNumber" and in the child or detail table naming the FK "FK" instead of "PermitNumber". Am I correct?
If so, any particular reason for this naming convention?

[Steve Wood]

Re: How can I copy a project

I hope it doesn't say that! I would make them both descriptive, like permit_id, and NOT including "FK" or "PK" in the field name at all. I know it also says don't use camel case like "PermitNumber" because Alpha does not support camel case for field names. Instead, use permit_number or permit_no.

I think I said if it was a "natural" primary key, name it permit_no, permit_code, etc. If it was a surrogate, name it permit_id.

Natural keys are like invoice_no, part_no, etc. where the value exists in your business or "in nature". A surrogate is like an autoincrement or GUID value that is generated by the table.

EDIT: I see how the document is confusing.

6.4 says: The first field in a table should be the primary key (PK), followed by all of the foreign keys (FK) followed by other fields roughly in order of significance and/or by category.

It can be misinterpreted that "(PK)" and "(FK)" in the sentence mean those should be the field names.

8.1 says: If the primary key is a surrogate key, name the primary key tablename+"_id", as in "vendor_id". If the primary key is a natural key (Part Number, etc.) name it tablename+"_no" or "_code" as in "part_no" or "class_code".

Use the same name as the foreign key on related tables. Reason: Internally, Alpha Five will automatically match up key names when joining grid and other components. It is much easier if the keys are named the same, and the primary key is the top most field in each table. In addition, if you name your PK simply "ID" it will force you to create an alias for that field in SQL statements where multiple tables are joined.

[[email protected]]

Re: How can I copy a project

That makes sense. I always use that structure anyway, It's a habit from my DBase and Dephi days. I always keep the Primary Key named the same in all related tables just for ease of linking and less confusion. Most of the time I don't use Camel case for field names but have been known to use it in other area. I try to use underscore for field names (other DBase thing)

Thanks very much for your time. Your input was helpful
What is alphatogo, is that a third party software. Don't have to answer, I'll checkout the site.
Thanks again.

[Steve Wood]

Re: How can I copy a project

What is alphatogo, is that a third party software.

"AlphaToGo, LLC" is my company name. You may be referring to the AlphaToGo Web Framework, which is a product I sell (and use) as the foundation for any Alpha web app. I also grabbed www.ialpha5.com, which matches my vehicle license plate and will eventually be a non-branded demo site with a bunch of A5 examples, but not there yet. The other entity I run is www.alphadevnet.com where a bunch of pre-qualified A5 developers display their work and offer services.