> So is that a "hack" or "valid practice"? (see Gary M's post)
I'd say that one [thing with the server time] is a "hack" because "it should work right without you having to do that". I also think that if you are trying to do something that should work (i.e. get a task to delete itself when it is finished running as per the previous thread) but you have to "work around" the fault - then it probably is a hack (in that instance). But you design a system to work in a certain way (e.g. a permanent task that uses flags to control execution) then that is NOT a hack. What if you find the fault in the system - and change how you are doing it - but then realise the the new approach is actually "better" - is it still a hack ? But here is another question...... I have also gotten around the "task" problem in the past by having one task run on a regular basis but it then "schedules" another task to RUN ONCE. Is this a hack? It is if I am doing it to get around something that should work - but it isn't if that is how I designed the system to work in the first place. What about when you do a system design. It's really kewl. Flawless. Then you come to implement it on the existing platform and to even half get it to work you are standing on your head holding your left foot into the wind (sounds like Lotus Notes). That's probably another "hack". What if you had designed the functionality in the first place with the platform in mind? You probably wouldn't have any "hacks" because you would have made sure that the functionality was described in terms of the implementation platform (with lots of "we cant do that in our environment" statements during the requirements gathering phase). Furthermore, there is some documentation that says that CF's scheduling mechanism is not a good thing to use if you have tasks that take a long time to run. And there are various suggestions for using a command line "pseudo browser" and the operating systems scheduling feature to executing long-running tasks. Now - maybe THAT is a hack. Why? Because, if I am running in a shared environment I may not have access to the OS's Scheduler - or I may not be able to install third-party executables that I can schedule. So..... if CF provides me a scheduler, I should be able to do anything I can think of with it. My point is...... I think it is all "relative". You can design something to work in a certain way - and it is not a "hack". But if you are forced into doing it THAT way when the way you want to do it doesnt work - that is a "hack". Gary Menzel Web Development Manager IT Operations Brisbane -+- ABN AMRO Morgans Limited Level 29, 123 Eagle Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 PH: 07 333 44 828 FX: 07 3834 0828 If this communication is not intended for you and you are not an authorised recipient of this email you are prohibited by law from dealing with or relying on the email or any file attachments. This prohibition includes reading, printing, copying, re-transmitting, disseminating, storing or in any other way dealing or acting in reliance on the information. If you have received this email in error, we request you contact ABN AMRO Morgans Limited immediately by returning the email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and destroy the original. We will refund any reasonable costs associated with notifying ABN AMRO Morgans. This email is confidential and may contain privileged client information. ABN AMRO Morgans has taken reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all its communications, including electronic communications, but accepts no liability for materials transmitted. Materials may also be transmitted without the knowledge of ABN AMRO Morgans. ABN AMRO Morgans Limited its directors and employees do not accept liability for the results of any actions taken or not on the basis of the information in this report. ABN AMRO Morgans Limited and its associates hold or may hold securities in the companies/trusts mentioned herein. Any recommendation is made on the basis of our research of the investment and may not suit the specific requirements of clients. Assessments of suitability to an individual?s portfolio can only be made after an examination of the particular client?s investments, financial circumstances and requirements. ABN AMRO Morgans Limited (ABN 49 010 669 726 AFSL 235410) A Participant of ASX Group --- You are currently subscribed to cfaussie as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] MXDU2004 + Macromedia DevCon AsiaPac + Sydney, Australia http://www.mxdu.com/ + 24-25 February, 2004
