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Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

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    Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

    I've been Using A5 for years and still haven't figured out a proper backup procedure. I've read several places on this board that its not recommended to use the built in Backup/Restore. Sometime ago, I saw a recommendation for Cobain Backup . It seems pretty solid.

    I'm clear on how to setup the backup tasks in Cobain and schedule them to run, What Im not so clear on, is, which application data files exactly should I backup, or copy from the development PC to the server. When I use the built in backup, I get the following list of application files, but when I check the documentation, I see more application file types than what's in this list.
    Table Dictionaries: .ddd, .ddm, .ddx
    Sets: .set, .sem, .sex
    Libraies: .alb, .alm, .alx

    Goal
    I would like to update my created software, without overwriting: data, the users (including the administrator), saved index definition, and other files that allow the end user to make their own settings.

    What I Know So Far
    I already figured out a few files to leave out of the update:
    Data Files: .dbf, .cdx, .fpt
    Saved Index Definition: .TableInformation

    #2
    Re: Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

    Nigel,
    Just my thoughts.
    It just depends what you want:
    1. In development, I back that up as a whole every day. I copy everything in the folder to another folder and no zip. *Note: just had corruption in a adb and had to go back about 40 days to a good one.
    2. If it is a server backup which includes a single user, I backup the data only(dbf, ftp, cdx) since all the other is replaceable from my own copy. I can restore their data and drop in all the other files(sem, set, sex, adb, ddm,etc over that.
    3. If you use the built in security from alpha, you will want to back up the adb, alm, alx files along with the data since any added users will be somewhere in there.
    4. If the user is adding code, forms, reports, etc to their app, the you might just as well backup the whole thing every day and keep "maybe" 1 months supply of backups.

    Most of my apps, the users never see the cp, but I have a few that do some of their own work.

    Your goal is bit hard in that when they are adding their own stuff in, or changing tables in anyway. You need to get their whole app to your work area, clear the data out because they will be adding back full blast, make sure they make NO changes other that data while you do your thing.
    On reinstall, I copy their complete app to a save folder, install the new(complete) and append the data from the save folder. Others do this different and what I do may vary depending what I am faced with.
    Last edited by DaveM; 04-01-2015, 03:17 PM.
    Dave Mason
    [email protected]
    Skype is dave.mason46

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

      I use Cobian and it is very flexible. You can do the whole directory, just supporting files, or just data. It does require that the first backup be a full one however. So you can create different jobs with different schedules and keep the number of backups to as many as you please.

      For instance I backup my Quickbooks file every day, but only keep 2 of them. My payroll is only backed up every friday since the data only has significant changes once a week, and I also only keep 2 of them. My inventory only backs up the data files since I cannot edit that program, therefore 2 of them is also enough. But if I were wanting to keep track of development files in Alpha, I would definitely keep full backups everyday for at least a week not so much for the data, but in case I made changes to tables or sets, and these would be separate from live data only files.
      Robin

      Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

        The main issue you can run into is 2 people making changes to the app, You and your client. Somebody will get overwritten on something along the way.
        Dave Mason
        [email protected]
        Skype is dave.mason46

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

          Thanks guys. I didn't get a list of necessary file types like I wanted. But I appreciate the response very much.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

            Alpha has an awesome backup feature in being able to restore components by last save. As far as "backing up" your dev files or whatever - this is as simple as remembering WHERE to backup. Having lived through Katrina here in New Orleans, I learned that it is important to not just back up files locally, like on a solid state external drive but to also use that source as a backup to a remote location.
            I personally use Google drive, if Google goes offline then there's probably going to be a lot more important things to worry about than my dev files!

            So in short back up your files but consider remote storage as well! Hope that helps!
            NWCOPRO: Nuisance Wildlife Control Software My Application: http://www.nwcopro.com "Without forgetting, we would have no memory at all...now what was I saying?"

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              #7
              Re: Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

              Nigel,
              Backing up all the needed files would be for development:
              dbf, ddm, ddx, ddd, cdx, fpt, sem, set, sex, adb, alm, alb, alx, add.
              Hopefully I did not miss any.

              with no changes to tables, but other stuff is updated and to be sure you get them all. These will update a clients computer with no data changes:
              ddm, ddx, ddd, sem, set, sex, adb, alm, alb, alx, add.

              Understand that if you change only one report/form/other in one table or one set then you just need to send the named support files for that one table and or set.
              Likewise a changed script/udf/menu/etc. Just send the adb files adb, alm, alb, alx, add.

              Hope that helps you a little more.

              You can put them in a zip, installer file or whatever you need to get it there.
              You can backup all the files in a zip or simply copy it to another folder somewhere.

              I am about to package all the forms, reports and everything but the data files for a client. It is a large app so it will be to big for email. Mine would send, but theirs will not accept, so will put it in an installer file and she will download it from a website. Makes it easier for her.
              Last edited by DaveM; 04-03-2015, 01:07 AM.
              Dave Mason
              [email protected]
              Skype is dave.mason46

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

                Hi Dave,
                Likewise a changed script/udf/menu/etc. Just send the adb files adb, alm, alb, alx, add.
                What's an ADD file? And do you need to copy the ADB if only code page changes are made?
                Robin

                Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Which Non Data Files To Backup / Copy From Development PC to Server

                  add, LOL sorry about that.
                  what the heck Robin, why not be sure. Takes almost no tome for that. I always keep sets of files together.
                  Dave Mason
                  [email protected]
                  Skype is dave.mason46

                  Comment

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