CDML vs. Lasso

[iBib]

Hi

I'm planning on re-building a website for a better use of Filemaker. But I have a BIG problem, I can't seem to find any information regarding which platform to use, Lasso or CDML. It's absolutely impossible making a really intelligent decision regarding this, not even Filemaker.com has got any really informative information about this subject.

Please assist me in this situation.

We're using an integrated FM solution and have the need to make the site be real quick, even with a couple of thousand visitors a day...

[iBib]

I know that there's a really big difference between FMP 4 and Lasso, but what I've heard, there's no really big difference FMP5 and Lasso, is that true?

[Anatoli]

quote:

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Originally posted by iBib:

I know that there's a really big difference between FMP 4 and Lasso, but what I've heard, there's no really big difference FMP5 and Lasso, is that true?

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Yes and no.

Lasso is multithreaded, FM -- not really. But FM5 is typically 5-7 times faster, than v. 4.

Plus you can scale the FM 5 Unlimited up to 6 machines working in parallel -- 5 Unlimited plus FM server plus Web Server.

In any case, start with FM5 Unlimited and when that is slow, upgrade HW or go for Lasso.

[iBib]

quote:

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Originally posted by Anatoli:

Yes and no.

Lasso is multithreaded, FM -- not really. But FM5 is typically 5-7 times faster, than v. 4.

Plus you can scale the FM 5 Unlimited up to 6 machines working in parallel -- 5 Unlimited plus FM server plus Web Server.

In any case, start with FM5 Unlimited and when that is slow, upgrade HW or go for Lasso.

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Thx alot, that was what I needed to know. But aren't you really saying that we should upgrade to Lasso if it's beginning to slow down in the end (after using a couple of FMP Unlimited servers), is that so?

Is it possible to use a couple of paralell-connected versions of FM Unlimited in Lasso as we can do with Web Server Connector?

[Anatoli]

quote:

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Is it possible to use a couple of paralel-connected versions of FM Unlimited in Lasso as we can do with Web Server Connector?

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I am not experienced in Lasso, but I guess it is similar. Anyone experienced in Lasso?

[Anatoli]

RE: I currently use FMP4 and CDML.

FM5 Unlimited is 5-7 times faster, than v.4

RE: Lasso has tags such as [inline] which allow proccessing of multiple DB routines with a single form submission. So it can process commands across a group of records like adding things to a shopping cart, etc.

The same is in Unlimited.

RE: CDML is LDML (Lasso) version 1.2 that Claris/Filemaker licensed from BlueWorld/Lasso. LDML is now on version 4 and CDML remains at version 1.2 with some features of 2.0 added in.

Probably true. But 5 is so much faster. I've tested Unlimited on 155Mb ATM and our fast server and the response for anything was always < 0.1 sec.

Anyway, you need FM 5 Unlimited for Lasso, so everyone can test that.

Because FM 5 is also faster than v 4, I think FM 4 + Lasso is not faster, than FM 5 Unlimited. But it is multithreading.

On the other hand who knows. If you colocate with someone with heavy traffic, it can be slower...

[This message has been edited by Anatoli (edited February 21, 2001).]

[iBib]

The biggest issue for a lot of people (including me) seems to be: What is the big difference between a FMP 5 Unlimited web solution and a solution based on FMP 5 and Lasso?

This is hard to get an answer to, even the distibutors of Filemaker and Lasso here in Sweden have a real problem of distinguishing this...

I can only contribute with my experiences:

Making a site with Lasso makes me do certain things (like dates, a pretty complex [include] and especcialy the famous [inline]). I can do almost the same things with FMP5 Unlimited, but not exactly the same. The [inline] tag is a lot more flexible in Lasso. And I don't have to wake FMP with a loading page, since Lasso can load databases and other objects just by adding an inline. That's something I can't do with FMP, I have to get myself a referrer (possibly a page/refresh) and use that reffering information to print data.

After using both FMP and Lasso, FMP seems a little bit more complex (not in a good way...). But FMP is easier to develop (for me that is) and I'm certain that I can work out speed problems by adding a second (or third) FMP web server (Unlimited).

[CaelC]

I don't know the answer to the load balancing of servers but I am upgrading my site now to a colocated server running Lasso and FMP5 Unlimited.

I currently use FMP4 and CDML.

Here are a few things I've been learning over the last few days:

Lasso is truly multi-threaded and so it is faster. Lasso has many, many more tags and functions than CDML. Something like 200 more tags or so. Lasso works better with SSL.

Lasso has tags such as [inline] which allow proccessing of multiple DB routines with a single form submission. So it can process commands across a group of records like adding things to a shopping cart, etc.

CDML is LDML (Lasso) version 1.2 that Claris/Filemaker licensed from BlueWorld/Lasso. LDML is now on version 4 and CDML remains at version 1.2 with some features of 2.0 added in.

I hope this helps. I'm trying hard to sort all this out myself.

Cael.

Oh, one more thing, apparently Lasso works much better if you are hosting multiple domain names and want each one to have DBs in its own realm. For example: www.x.com calling a DB and it still shows an x.com address in your browser. While the same is happening off of the same server for www.y.com. Apparently it is impossible to do this with CDMl unless you use some sort of port workaround so you would have to call the DB at www.x.com/8080 or something like that. I don't fully understand this but this is how it was explained to me. I'll have to figure it out soon as I am configuring my server now with 20 domain names and DBs hosted on 4 of them. Wish me luck!

[Anatoli]

RE: The biggest issue for a lot of people (including me) seems to be: What is the big difference between a FMP 5 Unlimited web solution and a solution based on FMP 5 and Lasso?

You cannot base your solution on Lasso and FM 5, unless it will be only 10 users in 12 hours frame! FileMaker license is strict and clear about this.

You can possibly make that work, but then you are in breach of contract.

FM is licensing for more IP than 10 only in Unlimited.

Your choices for more IP are:

FM Unlimited

or

FM Unlimited plus Lasso