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Thread: Completely new to saving Data! need resources to read clear concepts.

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    Default Completely new to saving Data! need resources to read clear concepts.

    preferences is interesting but too lightweight since its used for primitives. (thanks Sean)

    Completely new to data basing, any good resources to start with? (looking for learning info so it doesn't have to address my code because I have some studying to do I fear)


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    Default Re: Completely new to saving Data! need resources to read clear concepts.

    Not sure I understand the requirements, do you just want to save user preferences? What context (is the a standalone application, applet, webstart, webapp?) A database might be overkill, rather something like a preference file associated with the application might be more appropriate. If a standalone application, just save the file relative to the application, read the file using standard I/O, and you can format it however you wish (I always prefered xml given its architecture).

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    Default Re: Completely new to saving Data! need resources to read clear concepts.

    If you are willing to compile a 1 folder 7 class program I would be happy to post the program and explain it very specifically.

    Otherwise, to be honest I have no clue what I need, I just know its not preferences.
    Answering specific questions:

    (is the a standalone application, applet, webstart, webapp?)
    Currently standalone application, because I haven't gotten to that web part of the functionality, but the last step will be to have multiple users/computers access the same instance of program running (around 6 maximum) the state will be saved only on one computer though, they only need access to the interface.

    (do you just want to save user preferences?)
    I THINK(not sure) it will be more then that. My program is a GUI JFrame with border layout effecting what I consider to be a program state. The bulk of it is a "grid" JPanel that is filled with smaller square "tile" JPanels, the tiles use cardlayout to store at max 3 more JPanel custom "people" objects, and at minimum 1. (these "people" can probably be handled by something smaller and text based.)

    (If a standalone application, just save the file relative to the application, read the file using standard I/O.)
    This is how I would have to solve the problem if I am unable to find a more fitting solution. I can get around the complexity, its more about having 200 JPEGs in a folder, and loading them, just seems like lot of work for the program to do it this way.

    also I would like to prevent the user from accessing "saved" data with out using the program.

    Ill post the code if anyone is willing to compile it and run it. The program itself only has basic functionality, but it is tested and debugged.
    Thanks!
    Jonathan

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    Default Re: Completely new to saving Data! need resources to read clear concepts.

    (do you just want to save user preferences?)
    I THINK(not sure) it will be more then that. My program is a GUI JFrame with border layout effecting what I consider to be a program state. The bulk of it is a "grid" JPanel that is filled with smaller square "tile" JPanels, the tiles use cardlayout to store at max 3 more JPanel custom "people" objects, and at minimum 1. (these "people" can probably be handled by something smaller and text based.)
    I still don't understand the requirements. It sounds like you want to save the user's work, or what they've done so when they restart the application the user's work is restored, which sound an awful lot like having the user save their work to a file. You wouldn't need to save the images, just a path so you know where to find them

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    Default Re: Completely new to saving Data! need resources to read clear concepts.

    Okay, that is how i would have done it with out access to any of your minds, and reading it from your words it is starting to seem more reasonable.

    So I guess the only question that is left is how to protect this data from idiots?

    1) I don't mind the images/JPEGs being visible since the format will be windows friendly.
    but is there a way I can warn them not to delete, or change the name of the JPEG?

    2) I need my file as protected as possible! I have little experience formatting a load file, so the exception handling is already going to be a nightmare for me.
    Is there a way I can set my own 3 character file type?

    3) Even if I am able to save my file as my own type, I know its usually possible to open it with say note pad, is there a way I can lock it or make it invisible to the user?

    Thanks again copeg,
    Jonathan

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    Default Re: Completely new to saving Data! need resources to read clear concepts.

    Quote Originally Posted by JonLane View Post
    Okay, that is how i would have done it with out access to any of your minds, and reading it from your words it is starting to seem more reasonable.

    So I guess the only question that is left is how to protect this data from idiots?
    Almost application out there has similar problems and they run fine 99.9% of the time when it comes to this. Not many take the risk of opening up a file made by their application and change it - they should inherently know the risks associated with doing this. One of the few ways to guard against this is to have a full blow enterprise application in which the data resides on a remote server that the user can only touch using your application (and hence can only communicate using the methods you've defined in your application)

    Quote Originally Posted by JonLane View Post
    1) I don't mind the images/JPEGs being visible since the format will be windows friendly.
    but is there a way I can warn them not to delete, or change the name of the JPEG?
    If they reside in the OS and they move things through the OS, then no. If something happens to the image, you can load the file, search for the images, and if one or more don't exist warn the user and ask them to define another image (this is assuming the user defines the images - if the application defines the images then you can wrap them within a jar along with your application)

    Quote Originally Posted by JonLane View Post
    2) I need my file as protected as possible! I have little experience formatting a load file, so the exception handling is already going to be a nightmare for me.
    Is there a way I can set my own 3 character file type?
    This is platform specific. Yes you can, but associating the extension to the app depends upon the OS

    Quote Originally Posted by JonLane View Post
    3) Even if I am able to save my file as my own type, I know its usually possible to open it with say note pad, is there a way I can lock it or make it invisible to the user?
    You can encrypt the file if you wish, but like I said above most users won't touch these files because there is absolutely no reason to.

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    JonLane (February 28th, 2012)

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    Default Re: Completely new to saving Data! need resources to read clear concepts.

    Well, I have my weeks work cut out for me, thanks again copeg.

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