Gunnar Hjalmarsson wrote:
of data. But there are disadvantages, too. One disadvantage is that it
makes Ringlink inefficient, especially since the code for dealing with
stored data isn't very efficient, either.
Today ringmember data is stored in one file. If each member is stored
separately in its own file, efficincy should be inmproved. The changes in the
code for next, prev etc should be rather easy but list would nead more work.
Upgrading data to the new format could be done with a rather simple
Perl-program.
The member datafile is a risk. If a member updats his data and writing the new
file to disk, for some reason, malefunktion then all members data is gone.
Happend on my system at least 4 times. No big problem for me, as we run daily
backups on the server. But even so not so funny, especially if the ringmaster
thinks I have deleted his members!
I would also suggest that the statistic-files are moved into the same directory
as the ring-files and the subdirectorys for each member is deleted. This
directorys (not the files) uses unnecessary space, how much is depending on
server configuration. In my case each directory uses 4 KB (not including
file-size). 1500 ringmembers menas 6 MB of diskspace.
I'm thingking about modifying the program and remove all directorys and
stat-files, as I don't use them. I nead the space for another websites I have
on this server.
the future. The use of MySQL databases has been mentioned once in a
while. Even if I'm anxious to keep Ringlink portable, I have the
impression that a typical web hosting account nowadays includes MySQL.
Of course, there is always a possibility to make data storage in a
MySQL database an *option* besides the current method.
I'm looking for a host offering MySQL for a new website. I haven't found that
hosting acconts typically includes MySQL. Many hosts offer MySQL, but for a
extra fee. Some (few) include it. Most charge extra. Some do not allow it on
basic accounts, only on more expensive accounts. Some include MySQL in the
price, others take a setupfee, others a monthlyfee and some really greedy both.
Thats at least what I have found.
I would prefere to run Ringlink with a SQL-database. But think that the flat
file-database must be a possibility. If you run just your own ring(s) you may
not want to spend the extra money for SQL.
/Ulf
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