Using Bolero

Backups

Since the Bolero database is constantly open for access by the Butler SQL server, a backup script, 'Backup BoleroDatabase', is provided in the Bolero Scripts folder to aide in periodic backups of the database.

The script uses Butler SQL's BACKUP statement. The BACKUP statement provides a method of performing on-line backups with no interruption to the connected users on the server. The backup is really a database file copy to the specified destination folder, with the intent that this folder can be used for tape archival or simply on-line backup. Only valid database files can be duplicated in this manner.

Activating the Bolero Backup

To activate the backup, you must first enable the 'Backup' custom SQL script in the Bolero Settings file.

In the Scheduled SQL subsection of the Settings file, change the status of the 'Backup' custom SQL script to 'On':
[Scripts]
Backup = On

In the Scheduled SQL Details subsection, you must specify when you want the backup to occur, as in the example below:

[Backup]
Name = Backup BoleroDatabase
Unit = Day
Every = 1
Hour = 2
Minute = 30
This will execute the backup script at 2:30 a.m. every morning.

You must now customize the 'Backup BoleroDatabase' script so that it explicitly points to the BoleroDatabase on the Butler SQL server.

Open the Backup BoleroDatabase script.

This is the script you will see:
backup database BoleroDatabase
in location "Macintosh HD:System Folder:Preferences:
Butler Preferences Folder:Public Databases:"
to "Macintosh HD:Backup:"
with journal, activitylog
timeout 0;
The script syntax is:
BACKUP DATABASE <database name>
[IN LOCATION <folder path>]
TO <folder path>
[WITH {JOURNAL, ACTIVITYLOG}]
[TIMEOUT <timeout seconds>]

<database name>
name of the database.

<folder path>
any valid Macintosh folder path string expression specified. The folder path must end with a colon. If the specified destination folder doesn't exist, it will be created by the server.

<timeout seconds>
default timeout period is 0, which represents an infinite timeout period. Other timeout periods are specified as an integral expression in seconds.

Modify the 'in location <folder path>' to contain the path specific to the Public Databases folder on the Butler SQL server which contains the Bolero database.

Modify the 'to <folder path>' to contain the path specific to the destination folder which will contain the backed up copies of BoleroDatabase, the Activity Log and the Transaction Journal.

Save the script.



Notes

Outstanding BACKUP commands are cancelled by the server if the client issuing the command is logged off the server either through a communications disconnect or through the server's "Terminate User" menu command.

You must ensure that there is enough free space available on the server to perform the backup; otherwise, the backup will generate an error.

If transaction processing is enabled, the backup will not begin until all clients currently accessing the database have closed all transactions. All clients who have issued insert, update, or delete commands must perform a commit or roll-back before the backup will begin.

If a timeout value is specified and open transactions exist at the completion of the timeout period, the backup will be cancelled and the server will return an error. Until the timeout occurs or the backup is completed, no new transactions will be permitted by any client. However, clients may continue to read the database until held. Note that activity logs which are detached include the notice of the backup and detach. Also, a backup notice is inserted into the new activity log.

If access control is enabled, only the database administrator can issue the command to perform a backup. If no database administrator is assigned, only clients with full access to the database will be able to issue the backup command.

The WITH clause can be used to detach and save database transaction journals and activity logs. This performs a detach of the current journal/log, then moves the file from the Database Journals/Activity Logs folder to the same destination folder as the database backup. If this option is used, a record of the backup and detach is added to the activity log.

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