Losing, Layouts, fields, scripts...

[macmekker]

Anyone experienced this?:

I'm running a test period on a system where a brand new Xserve G5 runs a FMS 5.5, and at this time I have 4 FM6 clients using the system (Power Mac G5s and Powerbook G4s). I'm developing parallel on one of the clients (standard - not Developer)

During the weekend the Xserve had "crashed" (a different story...) and after recovering 14 (of 54) files I was up and running again. First I noticed that 2 of my files was seriously damaged: layouts, fields and scripts was disappeared around in the two files. OK - I can understand that - and I have spent the day rebuilding from a backup.

But what I find strange: Now after starting to use the other files - which in first sight seemed fine - I find that they look like a day old backup... The stuff I did on Friday is (partly) gone !

The other clients had on Friday afternoon used the buttons and scripts I made in the morning, but now the buttons is gone, and the scripts is working in the old way !

I thought that when the other clients has new features available - the server has already saved to disc?

Has FMS an internal backup system, so that after a crash it can be booted up - feeling fine - but has been set back a few hours?

I have searched the server and the clients for old versions of the system, because I have made that mistake before - developing while the system can reach old versions - but there are no other copies but the servers...

Anyone...?

[Vaughan]

The G5 and OS X might be doing some tricky caching to increase performance.

Never re-use recovered files. Import the recovered data (all the Recover command fixes is the data) into clean, known-good clones or backup copies.

[macmekker]

Thanks Vaughan.

I've read a lot about this - not using a recovered file, but how do you then move on in a developing phase? If you have to go back to the last known none crashed version every time?

I guess you will react to "..every time.." I've seen you (and maybe others) say that the server should never go down. But the fact is that the original files I had to use for further development is maybe 8+ years old and has been through troubled times i periodes - like I now have with the new Xserve. The old ones is probably recovered dozens of times already.

Is there a way to wash the files?

And in this phase I don't care so much about the data - which is only testing data anyway, but I don't like losing a day of programming layout and scripts... But I guess it's all data in filemaker - until I migrate to FM7 - so I just have to do the work again - on my already crappy recovered files and hope for the best. (And get the Xserve fixed of cause)

Before implementing the system I will of cause delete all the data, and import everything from the now operating system - will this "wash" the files? Or just bring even more crap into the system?

[Vaughan]

"... how do you then move on in a developing phase? If you have to go back to the last known none crashed version every time?"

Bacisally, if the system crashes than all the development is dumped and you've got to go back to the last known good backup. There is no way that a developer can afford to have a set of files that are not in absolutely pristine condition.

It means being really careful, backing up before doing anything that might cause a crash (or an infinite loop). If it means backing up every 5 minutes then so be it. On a test system I ideally like to be sitting next to the FMS hosting the files so I can run a schedule to backup the files.

It's about being disciplined in development. It may appear to be slow, but it's faster than delivering a solution with imbedded corruption and having to fix it later.

There is no way I know of to "wash" files. Only rebuiding them from scratch. Painful though it is, it's not half as bad as it sounds since a lot of stuff can be cut and pasted between the files.

A rebuild is usually the time to do a resign too.

I wouldn't convert these files to FMP 7. I'd be rebuilding from scratch.

[macmekker]

OK. Clear message. Thanks.

I had already desided to start from scratch in FM7. Then I have the opportunity to start the more disciplined life aswell...

I just have to sell it in to the client - now when the new system is supposed to be implemented already... bad timing for me - this FM7 release...

Thanks again.