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Can I use append?

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    #1

    Can I use append?

    I need to gather information on a regular basis throughout the working day from a number of tables located in different databases. The master table may be in use, but in 'read only' when the data collection takes place, the transaction tables, however, may have records in the process of being edited or added. Will this stop me using a straightforward append and if so does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get round the problem please? ( It would be perfectly acceptable to skip any active records during the append process or, if I really had to I could accept skipping complete tables.) The whole process will run silently and automatically on a Windows schedule.

    Thanks

    Richard
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: Can I use append?

    We'll probably need some more explanation.

    An append adds records from one table to another. I can't imagine why the master table would be in read-only mode, but then I have a limited imagination. A "normal" append would not affect existing records. If you are thinking of an "append unique, replace existing" sort of append while the master table is in use, with the possibility of some records being in use by way of being edited, how are you planning on reconciling the fact that the next time the append is applied, the last edits will be overwritten.

    More details please.
    There can be only one.

    Comment

      #3
      RE: Can I use append?

      Hi Stan

      Here's the details of it. We have 15 offices around the country, all accessing separate databases on the same terminal server. Our head office needs access to some of the branch offices' data, but in read only mode as it is only to answer enquiries, not to edit or add information. Previously I have run an append out of hours to update the head office system at the end of each working day but to have the head office data more up to date I would like to run the append periodically during the day when the branch office systems will be in use. I have no experience of this and wondered whether anyone else can see a problem. As I said, if there may be a problem I can accept skipping files or tables in use as the data can be updated on the next time the append runs, but if I have to skip them, I don't know how to do this. Re the other point about overwriting data. Each time a record is added or amended in the branch office it leaves a tracer of today's date and the append that runs looks only for records where the tracer is the current date. It then overwrites duplicates, checking by our case reference number.

      Hope this makes sense to you,

      Thanks

      Richard

      Comment

        #4
        RE: Can I use append?

        I haven't done what you are describing but a thought occurs.

        Opening the tables at the home office for viewing does not put them in "read-only" mode. If the user form does not allow editing then they should be in "view" mode which should not preclude an append operation from running.

        Thus you should be able to run an append to make the home office files more current.
        There can be only one.

        Comment

          #5
          RE: Can I use append?

          Hi Stan

          Thanks for that. I assume from your reply that you do not think that the files in the tramsaction tables being in use would be a problem, but it might be if those in the master table were in use. Am I correct?

          Thanks again

          Richard

          Comment

            #6
            RE: Can I use append?

            I hope someone else will differ if they disagree but I don't see either set of files causing a problem. You should be able to append while both are being used so long as there are no master table records open in change mode (being edited).
            There can be only one.

            Comment

              #7
              RE: Can I use append?

              Hi Stan

              That was how I saw it, but then the doubts such as "what if I am running the process silently on a remote server and the process hangs?" started creeping in!!

              Thanks again for you input.

              Richard

              Comment

                #8
                RE: Can I use append?

                I wouldn't use a high-level method such as append in a multi-user context without careful testing as the operation's internals are not visible to you.

                You could test the process on a single machine; open a couple of forms based on a table and then run a saved append operation to the same table and see if you generate an error.

                And remember that any field rules or auto increment requirements might also create issues.

                All in all, it would be easy to create a routine to copy records to a table one by one with appropriate error trapping. That's the route I take.

                Bill
                Bill Hanigsberg

                Comment

                  #9
                  RE: Can I use append?

                  Hi Bill

                  I know what you mean, I am a little nervous about the situation. I have run the script since, with all systems in use and all appears OK, but still.....

                  I would be interested to hear if anyone at Alpha have any comments.

                  Thanks for your interest.

                  Richard

                  Comment

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