Independent Application 2

[Boris10]

Hi every one. I am trying to develop a simple independent application using vb, which requires little user intput and runs independently and continuously after the user set the settings. All i want to do is periodically run operations on the database, depending on setting provided by the users.

Thank you for any input

 

[TysonLPrice]

Maybe you could use a sleep API based on the input from the user to wake up the logic and do the database work.

http://www.ex-designz.net/apidetail.asp?api_id=537

I'd put some logic in so they can't kick if off if it is already running.

If App.PrevInstance = True Then
       MsgBox "Already running”
        End
 End If

 

[Boris10]

Hi Tyson,i am looking for non event driven application. The user is supposed to provide period intervals for the app:

Example: perform DB operations every day, week etc, just like SQL agents do - u set the time interval and then leave it to do its job.

Thereafter, the system must perform exactly the same operation periodically. Therefore, i guess it must always be running to check for the date. Not sure, Any ideas.

 

[TysonLPrice]

Maybe create a DTS package from VB based on the input? That would be MS SQL.

 

[gmmastros]

I've done this sort of thing before.

Usually, I make a VB app with startup set to Sub Main. I program the app to do the thing just once. Then I configure windows task scheduler to call the app.

With Windows task scheduler, all of the timing things are built-in for you. Additionally, you don't need to worry about someone closing the app which would prevent future executions.

Of course, before performing the action, I always double check that the configuration is set up properly. For example, you'll need connection string parameters and such. In my apps, these configuration options are stored in a file. If you are going to store the connection string, and that connection string uses a password, you may want to encrypt the file.

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
twitter
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[TysonLPrice]

One thing about using the Windows schedular as mentioned, unless I set it up wrong when I did it, is when the password is changed you need to change it there too.

 

[gmmastros]

That's true about the password. I usually create a login specifically for this purpose, just like I usually create a login for the SQL Server service(s). I make the password extremely long, random, and ugly. I then set the password to never expire. Never had a problem since I started doing that.

Just make sure the login name is something descriptive, like "SqlServerStartupService".

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
twitter
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[Boris10]

Yasis you guys just made my day!!!! I am going to Try it out Now!!!!. Thank you so much!