Byte Me: Set in Stone

  • Comments posted to this topic are about the item Byte Me: Set in Stone

  • I'd like to see someone try and hack into that database! 😀

  • Hey, if it still works and does the job you need...

  • Better question would be "What version is your database?" Because I've seen DBs older than that, but at least they upgraded the engine version. 😛

  • I know of a relational database that started pre-SQL and has changed little over the years. It started on Informix 3.3 before moving to Informix SQL in about 1985. However the design was sound which is why it is still running today (not idea which SQL but the engine has always been kept up to date). I also know of a database (think it may be retired now) that was so badly designed that a 'Mr' could be female and a person could be in multiple places at one time! The moral is design the database properly and the keep the engine up to date!

  • A few years back I was asked to take on a project to find and install a booking system for a hostel run by a charity in India. The bed count had just been increased and management were worried about how staff would cope when the busy season arrived.

    The old system was working fine, but struggling to cope with demand. For about 180 years the system had worked without any data loss, required no changes during the introduction (and phasing out) of new technology such as gas lights and electricity, and without any outage during power cuts. A big ledger with a pencil and eraser forms a very stable system when used properly.

    A product search ended up with a system called HostelPower, which has since seen regular vendor enhancements and 2 major upgrades. The system certainly copes with demand, and because data is stored in SQL both locally and at the vendor's data center it can keep working through the almost daily internet outages. A standby generator and small UPS battery packs deal with the power cuts.

    The biggest hurdle to overcome only became obvious once the system was live. The fear of the new system failing meant staff had to copy all bookings into the ledger, and it took about 6 months before there was enough confidence to rely only on the computer system.

    That was a really interesting project to work on, with product selection and configuration done in the UK followed by installation in India, and the satisfaction of knowing that I have helped a charity I support be more effective in their in-country fundraising.

    Original author: https://github.com/SQL-FineBuild/Common/wiki/ 1-click install and best practice configuration of SQL Server 2019, 2017 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008 and 2005.

    When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor they call me a communist - Archbishop Hélder Câmara

  • That really looked like a job for life!!!

    Gaz

    -- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

  • dhsweg (1/6/2016)


    I'd like to see someone try and hack into that database! 😀

    Oh they'll find a way.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply