Re: Modifying files hosted by FM Server

Lynn allen wrote:
> Tom Barnouw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> > Is it considered bad practice to modify a database's layouts/fields, etc
> > when it is being hosted by FM Server?  Assuming all other users are
> > disconnected what are the potential pitfalls if any?
> >
> > Using FM Server 5.5 on OS X.
>
> You'll get varying answers regarding modifying fields on hosted files.
> I'm in the negative camp on that one, due to the fact that if your
> machine crashes or freezes during a field definition update, which takes

I am one of the varying answers.  My feeling is that if you are on an 
extremely stable local network, then it is okay to make field defintion 
changes.  I would never do it on a wide area network, and I understand 
that there is some risk that any network might go down at any time.

And if it goes down, you risk corrupting the file.  You may be able to 
open it with FileMaker 5.5 or higher and it may continue with the field 
defintions with no problem.  Or it may be corrupt and require recovery 
-- which means you should trash it and go back to the last backup.

I've never had a problem with layout changes on hosted files.  Just be 
sure to save your layout immediately after making your changes.  It gets 
saved as soon as you switch from layout mode to any other mode.  Other 
users will see your changes as soon as the layout is saved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Howard Schlossberg              (818) 883-2846
FM Pro Solutions       Los Angeles, California
Associate Member, FileMaker Solutions Alliance