Unfortunately, that would require modifications to the database,
which I try to avoid due to the downtime they require.
Why would that be an issue of consequence?
You add some columns to a table. The rest of the software
can ignore them. (Unless you use select * or other black arts,
said rest might never see the new columns.)
Yeah, there are black arts involved. My framework has some generic
code that expects to be able to process every field in certain
types of tables. If there is not corresponding code for each field
in certain subclasses, errors are thrown. Probably a poor design
choice in retrospect, but the choice was made in 2004 and
rectifying it would require a huge amount of work.
Oh, my! (Alternative pronunciation: "You poor bastard!")
Can you modify the framework? One kludge would be for it to
ignore certain columns, say those starting with a certain prefix.
See above, re: "huge amount of work."
I have a couple of anvils around my neck, too. They prevent
my system from easily being multi-user. One was a reasonable
trade-off at the time, but the downside continues to bite. The
other was an argument I lost, because my boss does not understand
relational databases.
Pointy-haired, I presume?
[snip]
No, I don't have a loader program. I would have to introduce
internet download capabilities in order to provide that, and that's
a headache I don't need.
Loader programs are not difficult to set up on a local
network. Still not an option?
No, because there are other completely separate organizations, far
away from here, using the software. I would either have to fork the
project to leave those organizations out of the loader thing, or I
would have to somehow get them to implement timely updates of a
network program source cache. These other organizations do not have
any employees who even fully understand the difference between a
local folder and a folder on a server (I am not exaggerating), and
they have to make an appointment with a local IT consultant any time
they need to install a piece of software or do anything else of a
maintenance nature. Every time they need to install an update for
compliance reasons it's a couple hours of phone time for me, mostly
spent trying to get them to explain where their data is and then
trying to get them to understand what they need to do about it.
(TeamViewer or something isn't a realistic option because they don't
have admin rights to their own servers, and some of them don't even
understand how to log into their workstations with an admin account.)
So the only option to save my sanity would be to implement a direct
download across the internet from my server--a security headache.
Thanks.
Ken
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