Digital Workshop

Hi
Have created an application that stores user data in a dat file using the write to disk function.

The product appears to work correctly when tested.

However, a couple of purchasers of the software are having a problem. When they make any changes to the userbase (eg adding a pupil), the data file is not updated, even though it should be.

I've asked these users to check if the files are 'read only' and to unselect this option if they are - however they report that whilst they set the files to not be read-only and click 'APPLY', as soon as they look again, the file has reverted to being 'read-only'. Is this something that Opus does (I doubt it very much!), or is there any further advice I can give them to solve this 'read-only' issue?

Many thanks

No this isn't something Opus should do out of the box.

When you say Pupils' data file - is this running on a school network? If so do the the users have the correct permissions and is the file in folder with the correct permissions.

Also is the file shared - it really shouldn't be.

Mack

Hi

The software has been written for both education and home market, but the problems I've experienced so far have been with home users with software installed just on one PC.

The issue I think is related to how these home PCs have permissions set up - ie something to do with the folder being read-only.

When I'm creating the school version, the files are available for all users - so I guess they must be shared - is this likely to cause any problem? (I have designed it so that, for pupil use, most files only need to be read, with only the pupil's own individual file needing to be amended each time they use system).

It seems odd that it would happen on a standalone home machine.

As for a school network - it depends on how you're using the data file - is it a flat database that might be accessed by more than one person on the school network at once?

Mack

Hi

Sorry, but I don't know what you mean by a flat database.

There's a main file with settings that is read by all pupils, and then they select a class, which reads another data file in with class info. They then click on their name, which readds in their own data file. When they finish their go, their results are saved in their own data file, and the program is ready for the next user.

Had more input from someone who's having problems. The folder (created by Opus) is read-only, and even though the files within it are apparently not read-only, Opus doesn't save any changes as it should - the program is working in hundreds of other homes without a problem!

H Paul,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_database

It doesn't sound like you need to worry overly about this for you networked programs but do keep in mind that if different users on the network are trying to write to the same file that this will cause problems.

As for Opus creating a folder, yes this is read-only but the file shouldn't be.

Have you used the Close() to close your file objects correctly after use.

Mack

So if Opus creates a folder, it'll be read only, but the files themselves won't be read only? I thought the problem the user was having was because the folder was read-only and he couldn't make it available for full access, but if as you say the files aren't read only, then the user should have been able to amend the data.

When you mention Close(), I don't write in script, but is this the same as the option to Close a data file? If so, maybe I need to go back and check that every time I open the file (either to read or write), I close it every time. I thought I had, but it's possible one has slipped through the net.

Thanks

If I recall correctly, have a folder set as read-only doesn't actually do anything anyway - it has to be applied to the files.

As for Close(), yes it's a good idea to check - people have posted problem with files in the past and this has been due to not closing them but I cannot see this changing the file permissions.

Can you find out what operating system people are using? There have been various posts about files saved in the wrong location under Vista causing problems as well.

Mack

Hi

Both users were on XP - I checked this with them as I'm aware that there are problems saving to the Program Files area of Vista.

Well that throws out the idea of blaming t on Vista

When you say that the file returns to read only - is this with your program shut down in which case it must be another application or the OS that is causing this.

Mack