Prime 357

Can download - no user account necessary

Steve — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:47:02 +0000

There's a slight change to the downloading procedure. No longer is it necessary to create a user account simply to download any file. Download to your heart's content.

At this stage, in order to leave comments or seek advice then a user account is necessary.

Wordpress 2.6

Steve — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:44:04 +0000

Wordpress 2.6 is out, as of a few weeks ago. I've briefly checked the relevant tables and fields against Wordpress 2.5 and there is no significant difference. This means the current version, 1.04, will convert Wordpress 2.6 blogs.

Server to Server

Steve — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:22:38 +0000

As already mentioned, SmartFTP has a feature known as 'server to server' which basically means being able to transfer files from one server directly to another server.

Fire up SmartFTP and log into both servers, that is, the source (where your getting your files from) server and your destination (where the files are going) server. I'm not detailing every click required to achieve this.

With the program there are a number of ways to achieve the one process, as is the case with any modern software. I'll detail the menu way.

Open the files listed in the source server panel and drag and drop the relevant folder into the lower 'temporary queue' panel.

45,000 Wordpress posts converted to Drupal

Steve — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:47:55 +0000

Okay, the title said 45,000 posts but in reality how does converting or transferring, call it what you want, 45,936 posts from Wordpress 2.5 to Drupal 5.8 sound. I helped out a registered user HitBoy with the conversion, that is, I did it on my machine locally for him. Before I go any further here's a screen-shot of the Analyse Wordpress section.

I didn't specifically time the process but I reckon it was closer to the two hour mark than it was to the one hour mark, so transferring 45,000 posts is not a 5 minute process. Obviously, if done using remote databases it would take a little longer. How much longer, well I don't know and I'd only be guessing.

HitBoy's going to make a follow-up entry in Check My Site thread and there he'll promote his site, so at least you can see that it is possible to convert massive amounts of data.

During this process I was chatting to HitBoy about other things, as you do, and found out that he's starting a new venture, a hosting business. If you're after some free (or paid) web-hosting why not check him out at OpenSourceSetup. His site went live yesterday (Monday 29 July, 2008).

The link I provided IS NOT an affiliate link and I do not benefit in any way.

Reduce File Size

Steve — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:32:24 +0000

At your old host, access phpMyAdmin, you're going to prepare for the backup procedure.

Since a download and an eventual upload is required, you may want to reduce the size of the backed-up sql file. This step is not overly necessary and can be skipped if you prefer.

Select the database to be backed-up and click the Structure tab so as all the tables are listed in the main window. In order to reduce the eventual file size certain tables can be emptied, that is, all the records deleted, not the table itself. The tables that can be emptied are:

FTP Accounts

Steve — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:08:37 +0000

A tool that you will definitely need is a File Transfer Protocol ("FTP") client program. These programs are more or less explorer type programs in which files can be uploaded and downloaded from the server.

There are a number of freely available FTP client programs and here are a few:

Smart FTP (31 Aug, 2008, no longer free)
Filezilla
Core FTP
Cyberduck (for Mac)
Google Search Results

In order to utilise an FTP client you must first set-up FTP accounts at your host. I'm assuming that this particular process doesn't require detailed explanation as most likely you would have been using an FTP client at your old host. Suffice to say, that at my host, when creating the addon domain names corresponding FTP accounts were created as well. If this is not the case with your host, simply follow the prompts to create an FTP account(s). Even if automatic and default FTP accounts were created I'd recommend purposely creating an FTP account that purposely points to a specified folder. That folder's sole purpose being to receive uploaded files. Once uploaded, they can be moved to where ever you want.

Addon Domain(s)

Steve — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:15:42 +0000

As seems to be the case these days most hosts are offering one free domain for your use. Obviously, if you are transferring from another host you already have a domain name registered and you will eventually be changing the nameservers at your domain registrar to point to your new domain. Don't do it now, that is the last step.

In regards to the 'free domain name' accept the offer and use that domain name purely for administrative purposes. I recommend not using the free domain name for public purposes. It's not a good idea for your host to also be your domain registrar (they will be for the free domain name), it only leads to problems down the track should there be any issues with your host. Effectively, your host could hold you to ransom as they hold the key, the domain name registration.

Import SQL file into new database

Steve — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:35:30 +0000

You should now have an SQL file, which is your backup database file, safely stored away in your computer. The next step is to transfer the contents of that file into a new database at your new host.

Firstly, access you new host, navigate to the cpanel pages, then to the database section and follow the prompts to create a new MySql database. Obviously, remember the database name and user name for later reference.

Once created, access phpMyAdmin and navigate to your newly created database. In the example that follows I created a new database named, "newdrupaldb". You will notice that there are no tables created as yet, that is what the following process will do. Click on the Import tab and you should see a screen similar to the following. Click on image for a detailed view

Backup old host database(s)

Steve — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:30:48 +0000

At your old host, access phpMyAdmin, you're going to backup your database(s) which will ultimately be downloaded to your computer.

Click the Export tab and a screen similar to the following should be displayed (click for larger image).

Actual Processes Involved

Steve — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:20:52 +0000

Firstly, it goes without saying that you need access to your old host in order to carry out any of the following procedures. If you haven't got access to your old host, then in a nutshell, you're stuffed.

The following pages will show the processes and procedures required in order to transfer a Drupal system from one server to another. The concepts though can be applied to any database driven application.

Changing Hosts - a Dummies Guide

Steve — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:23:18 +0000

So you've been with a host for a number of months or years and now it's time to change for whatever reason.

The following is a guide as to the smoothest process possible. There are many steps involved and over the next few weeks I'll add various pages and update where necessary. I'll attempt to include as many screen shots as possible and in that regard I'll be basing everything on using cpanel and MySql. For those not using these tools I'm hoping it should be clear enough in order to translate the information to your tools of choice. The concepts will be the same regardless.

Code - replace html entities with symbols

Steve — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:04:57 +0000

As a result of an enquiry from this forum post I followed up with a very quick "pseudo code" version of how to strip HTML entities from code and replace them with their corresponding symbols.

The Drupal Aggregator module also suffers from the fact that post titles are not HTML rendered. Even though the following code is not PHP but rather Realbasic I'm sure any skilled PHP developer should be able to convert/translate to PHP.

Without further ado, here's the code.

Function Convert_Html_Code_To_Symbol(pStr as string) As string

  // Version 1.04 - 2 Jun 2008.

  // Converts raw text, containing html symbol codes such as (&quot; &amp;) to their numerical equivalents (" &)

  // The numerical codes are retrieved from 'charactercodes.txt' text file in same directory as this program.

  // After codes changed to numerical codes then the string can be run through the RegEx converter, changing to symbols.

Dim intPos as Integer
Dim intAmp as integer
Dim intSemiColon as integer
Dim intLen as Integer
Dim strKey as string
Dim strReplace as string
Dim strDone as string

Dim x as Integer
  intLen = len(pStr)

  intAmp = instr(pStr, ";")

  While len(pStr) > 0

    intPos = instr(pStr, "&")
    if intPos = 0 then

      strDone = strDone + pStr

      pStr = ""

      exit while

    else

      if intPos > 1 then

        strDone = strDone + left(pStr,intPos - 1)

        pStr = right(pStr,len(pStr) - intPos +1)

      end if

Looking for Contributors

Steve — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:57:42 +0000

I know from the behind-the-scenes statistics that the C++ content is attracting a lot of traffic and return users, more so than the Wordpress to Drupal converter software. Casually glancing at the figures, I'd say half or thereabouts of the C++ traffic is from educational institutions.

The existing content serves a purpose and clearly explains (my opinion) the topic at hand, which is important when learning C++. Unfortunately, I'm unable to keep the content ticking over at a steady pace and therefore I'm looking for contributors.

Check my site

Steve — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:00:46 +0000

So, you've converted your site to Drupal, why not let everyone know how it went. Did it go smoothly, did you convert locally or remotely, which version and operating system involved and the number of posts, users etc. Oh, and by all means link to your new site.

Change of Focus

Steve — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:50:57 +0000

Change of focus as regards IT Self Study. I haven't touched C++ since the start of April, this year, but have every intention of finishing the book. No doubt I will have to cover some old ground just to come up to speed again, if anything, that's the frustrating part.

The question is why I haven't continued with the self-study. At the start of April I got involved with creating this site and then shortly after that decided to update my Realbasic application that converts Wordpress Blogs to Drupal. The whole point I was learing C++, leading towards the GUI aspect, is that I could do away with Realbasic and not be held ransom to their pricing structure.

The change comes as of a few hours ago I ordered my copy of PureBasic. This software package is attractively priced and better still, the price covers all future upgrades. Better still, yet again, I have access to the Windows, Linux, Mac and Amiga versions.

This version of basic is implemented slightly differently than Realbasic and Visual Basic so there will be a slight incline of a learning curve to come to grips with the basics. From what I've read thus far it shouldn't be that difficult.

I've also got Ruby waiting in the wings but I've got a feeling it'll be waiting there for a while.

As of tomorrow, I'll go searching for some tutorials, get use to some of the basics and then, maybe within a week, start to the process of converting my Realbasic Wordpress to Drupal converter to Purebasic. That process will be part of the learning experience, so it will take time. That's not to say that I won't stop any Realbasic development. If a bug is found, I'll fix it and release a new version.

Version 1.04 - available for download

Steve — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:07:44 +0000

Version 1.04 of the Wordpress 2.5 to Drupal 5.x/6.x converter has been released and available for download from here.

For details regarding what's new in this release check here.

By all means for any suggestions, comments or questions here is a good start.

Enjoy.

Version 1.04 - What's in it

Steve — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:57:21 +0000

The next version (1.04) of the converter will be out soon. This will include some bug fixes and slightly improved progress meter.

The bug fixes are:

Titles of posts now correctly display symbols whereas as before html code appeared in lieu of the symbol eg. £ appeared instead of the symbol £ and so on.
The same process, as above, is applied to the user name of the comments table.
Included additional option, the setting of the filter format for comments.
Corrected the category hierarchy, under certain conditions sub-categories were not being recorded accurately. This has been addressed.
Comment headings to be created, first four or five words of the comment to be the comment heading.
Not that this will be overly noticeable, but the thread field of the comments table is now correctly populated with Base 36 (Vancode) numbers.

Improved Progress Window

Created two additional progress bars to the Importing Progress Window. Included now are progress bars relating to comments per post and the assigning of categories to posts. All bars should tick over at a constant rate, at least the user knows something is happening.

Status

The only bug fix left at this stage pertains to the the comment heading aspect. Hopefully that will be addressed within the next few days, when done, I'll upload.

By all means report all problems or issues here.

OpenID is now here

Steve — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:20:39 +0000

This site is now an OpenID enabled site. What this means is that in order to post comments, download files, create forum posts etc. a login is still required but that is achieved through your OpenID account. This also bypasses the email registration process as you are instantly verified with your OpenID.

For further information here is your starting point.

For user's that have already created accounts and want to login with their OpenID it will be easier to login as per normal and edit your account details. There is now an OpenID tab, simply enter your OpenID. Next time logging in, just use your OpenID.

1.03

Steve — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:10:29 +0000

As promised the Wordpress to Drupal 6.x converter (Version 1.03) is now available for download.

What's new.

Conversion to 5.x and 6.x
Filter Formats specifically retrieved from Drupal
More flexibility re - Content types, Promote to Front page and published
Teasers created re -  tag
More thorough snapshot of the Wordpress database

For full details see the manual.

Note to self

Steve — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:57:54 +0000

This falls into the category of 'Note to self'. I use Google Applications (Gmail system) to administer my email but using my domain name "essaytee.com" From that account I can send and receive email from my other domains.

Lately, my email activity died a little, wasn't getting as many as usual and definitely none from my running website (http://superjacent.net). I receive emails when comments are left. Well, comments have been left and yet no emails. Checked the site out, everything was configured as it should be.

As a last resort I logged into cpanel and walla, all email for superjacent.net was being diverted to the blackhole and no forwarding in place. Initially I swore that I set things up correctly the first time.

Back to my email account and I listed all emails pertinent to superjacent.net and the last one received was on 14 May, six days ago. Then it dawned on me. Six days ago I fiddled with superjacent.net domain, had to delete it and re-add so as I could point it to another document root. What I was doing was putting the running site back to the root of superjacent.net rather than a sub-directory. Obviously, when I deleted the domain name it also deleted the email settings as well.

Something to remember for next time.

On it's way

Steve — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:51:36 +0000

Wordpress 2.5 to Drupal 6.x, is about to be released. It will be included in the next version, that being 1.03, which will also retain conversion to Drupal 5.x. That is, there will be an option, convert to 5.x or 6.x.

For feature requests by all means ask for them here.

Version 1.02 converter uploaded

Steve — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:58:13 +0000

The Wordpress to Drupal converter, version 1.02 is available for download.

This latest version addresses a problem identified by user DeeZone. Due to an oversight on my behalf (not correctly escaping SQL data relating to category names) created the false error code of duplicate category errors.

As is always the case, solving this problem identified another problem relating to character encodings. Wordpress data is now encoded as unicode (utf8), it was latin. As of this version, the Wordpress database is treated as unicode, which solves some of the encoding problems.

The manual will be updated shortly to reflect the changes.

The program can be downloaded from here.

All comments or suggestions via the Wordpress to Drupal forum.

So you want to change your hosting company

Steve — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:23:15 +0000

Well this is how I did it. Firstly, you should have a valid reason for wanting to change as the process of transferring files and setting up with a new host can be a daunting process. In my case I wasn't happy with my current host's performance. In short, my web site(s) pages were taking far too long to load and outages were becoming all to common. Who was the host I hear you ask? Servage.net. I've been with Servage since January 2007, so that's 16 months and still have about 5 or 6 months before renewal is due.

Even with 5 or 6 months remaining I couldn't continue with the level of performance I was getting. It was excruciating and something had to give; and it did. I bit the bullet and researched other hosting companies.

My first port of call were the various 'find a web host' type forums and I defy anybody to select a good host based solely on so-called independent reviews found in the threads of these forums. What one can establish is that it's a cut-throat business, margins are low and they're all out there willing to empty our pockets. I suppose that's called the marketplace.

I made a decision early on that cost was not going to be the sole determining factor but cost is a factor none-the-less. My whole research was based around shared hosting as dedicated servers were well and truly not within my budget, so in this regard, cost was an issue.

Short listing

I've changed hosting companies

Steve — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:56:07 +0000

Not much content published over the last week or so and the reason being is that I've changed hosting companies. Previously I was with Servage.net but it became apparent that I had to upgrade to a quicker system. I'm now hosted by Drupal Value Hosting.

It's no easy process changing hosting companies and I see it as two distinct phases:

Choosing a new host; and
Process of changing over.

For both of these topics I'm going to write up some short articles explaining the processes I adopted.

This site should now run consistently quicker than before and hopefully with not as many outages.

Enhancement # 3 - Trap number followed by non numeric

Steve — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:58:33 +0000

As you know, the Asterisk Triangle Program has one remaining flaw and it's a flaw that should be addressed.

Presently, if a user enters as input 50prime the number '50' is accepted as valid and the remaining 'prime' is ignored. If a user enters as input 50.5 the number '50' is accepted and the remaining '.5' is ignored. Ideally we need to trap this and force a true integer to be entered.

Replace this line of code

while (!(cin >> rows) or (rows < 1 or rows > 79))

with this

while (!(cin >> rows) or (rows < 1 or rows > 79 or cin.peek() != '\n'))

You'll note that a third condition has been added to the while statement. That being cin.peek() != '\n'. What this is saying is,

"if the next character in the input buffer is not a newline character".

We know that after the execution of cin >> rows that if a true number was entered then all that is left in the input buffer is a newline ('\n') character. The peek() function merely checks for the next character in the input buffer. It doesn't remove the character from the input buffer. An entry such as '50prime' will cause the expression cin.peek() != '/n' to evaluate to true, as it detects the letter 'p', which in turn the body of the while loop is entered.

Here is the complete program code.

// trianglerows-5.cpp

// 30 Apr, 2008.

#include <iostream>

Enhancement # 2 - Valid Input Range

Steve — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:49:00 +0000

To further enhance the asterisk triangle program the numeric input needs to be restricted to a certain value range. Such a valid range would be 1 through 79. Entering anything greater than 79 and all the visuals go out the window.

Replace the entire while loop with the following while snippet.

    while (!(cin >> rows) or (rows < 1 or rows > 79))

    {

        cout << "Must enter an integer (1 - 79): ";

        cin.clear();              // clear cin error state, if exists

        while (cin.get() != '\n') // clear out non newline characters

            continue;

    }

In reality, only the while statement needed to be replaced as the nothing drastically needed to be changed in the body of the loop. As you can see I did change the cout statement to better inform a user of what is required, a number between 1 - 79.

The while statement could have been written like so:

while (!(cin >> rows) || (rows < 1 || rows > 79))

The || is the same as or and, though not used in this example, && is the same as and.

You will note that the program now detects incorrect data entry, that is any data entry commencing with a non numeric and any numeric entry not falling within the range of 1 through 79.

Enhancement # 1 - Trap non numeric input

Steve — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:42:57 +0000

Okay, lets enhance the asterisk triangle program so that it only accepts numeric input. That is, if a user types in a non numeric then the program should re-request correct input until a number is entered.

Remove these lines:

cin >> rows;

cin.get();

and replace with:

while (!(cin >> rows) ) // checking against cin fail state

{

    cout << "Must enter an integer: ";

    cin.clear();        // reset error state back to false

    cin.get();          // flush out next character

}

An understanding of the cin object is required for this snippet. As the variable rows is defined as an integer type, attempting to assign a non integer to this type will set the cin objects error flag to true. The expression (cin >> rows) returns a boolean value (true or false) relating to the error state of the expression. We can include this error state as a conditional part of a while loop. while loops only continue whilst a condition is true and therefore in this instance we need to check for when not true which means false. Confusing, I know.

Compile and run the program. Enter a single non numeric character. You'll now note that the program asks you to input only an integer. Entering an integer is the only way to exit the loop and continue through to the end.

Create a triangle type pattern

Steve — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:49:09 +0000

Write a C++ program that asks the user to enter a number of rows to be printed. It should then display for the first row one asterisk preceded by periods. The second row should display two asterisks preceded by periods and so on until all the rows have been printed as entered by the user.

A sample run would be like so:

Enter number of rows: 5

....*

...**

..***

.****

*****

I've seen many varied questions surrounding this particular problem.

Here's a solution, firstly, just the logic of the code for clarity, not concerning ourselves with error trapping incorrect keyboard input. The object is to understand the reasoning of the logic of addressing the problem at hand.

// nestedloop.cpp
// 29 Nov, 2007.#include <iostream>

using namespace std;
int main()

{

    int rows, c;

    cout << "Enter the number of rows: ";

    cin >> rows;

    cin.get();

    for (int r = 1; r <= rows; r++)

    {

        for (c = 1; c <= rows - r; c++)

            cout << ".";
        for (; c <= rows; c++)

            cout << "*";

        cout << endl;

    }

    // exit routine

    cout << "\n\n...Press 'ENTER' key to EXIT...\n";

    cin.get();

    return 0;

}

Copy and paste the above into your compiler of choice, compile and run it. As you can see, it works.

cin.get (arrayname, size)

Steve — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:29:04 +0000

Here is another form of the cin use. This form, cin.get(arrayname, size) is similar to cin.getline(arrayname, size) discussed previously. This form cin.get(arrayname, size) reads an entire line from the keyboard terminated by the 'ENTER' key BUT leaves the newline '\n' character in the input queue. Why it does this I'm not sure and why have such a function which for all intents and purposes is the same as the cin.getline(...) method, I'm not sure either.

Some things to be aware of

If there is an existing newline in the input buffer prior to calling cin.get(arrayname,20);, this form will not accept it, remember it leaves the newline character in the input buffer. The point here is that an error state is created in the cin object; the failbit flag is set to true. No further cin operations are permitted whilst the error flag is set to true. In order to remove the error flag this command cin.clear(); is required. It resets the cin error state back to false.

The above is not applicable if the input buffer contains normal characters ending with a newline character prior to calling the cin.get(arrayname, 20);. What occurs in this instance is that the errant characters or characters already in the input buffer as a result of a previous cin operation are assigned or allocated to the character array arrayname. The newline character is left in the input buffer.

Another situation arises whereby the user types in more characters than is specified by the size parameter of the cin function. No error state is recorded and the character array arrayname only receives the number of specified characters. The remaining characters are left in the input buffer.

The following code snippet should explain the various workings of this topic. The code, as is, will create an error state, simply uncomment the line after cin.get(line, 20);.

// File : testcin3.cpp

// Author : Steven Taylor

// Date : 23 Apr 2008 

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()

{

    char getdata;

    cout << "Enter one character: ";

    cin >> getdata;

    cin.get();   // clear out very next character (newline)

    char line[20];

    cout << "\nEnter a line of text 20 characters max: ";

    cin.get(line,20);

    cout << "\nLine of text entered : " << line;

    //cin.get();      // flush out the newline character

    char line2[20];

    cout << "\nEnter another line of text 20 characters max: ";

    cin.get(line2,20);

    cout << "\nSecond line of text entered : " << line2;

    cout << "\n\nNow at the end of the program" << endl;

    cout << "First character of line[20]  : " << line[0] << " character code is : " << (int)line[0] << endl;

    cout << "First character of line2[20] : " << line2[0] << " character code is : " << (int)line2[0]<< endl;

    if (cin.eof())

        cout << "\n cin.eof() == true";

    else

        cout << "\n cin.eof() == false";

    if (cin.fail())

        cout << "\n cin.fail() == true";

    else

        cout << "\n cin.fail() == false";

    // exit routine

    cin.clear(); // only use this if there is potential for an error state.

    while (cin.get() != '\n')

        continue;

    cin.get();

    return 0;

}

As an aside, if there is no error state, issuing the command cin.clear(); has no side effects, that is, errors are not reported simply because no error exists to start with. It's harmless.

Play with the program. You will note that if you input more than a single character for the first input, that it adversely affects the following cin methods. I'll deal with flushing the input stream/buffer/queue in a separate article but in the interim the exit routine should be a clue as to how to flush the input buffer.

cin.getline (arrayname, size);

Steve — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:29:02 +0000

So you want to read an entire line from the keyboard and not be bothered with cin >> getdata; only reading the first word. Then this form of the cin object is for you.

cin.getline(arrayname, size);

This form accepts an entire line entered from the keyboard terminated by the 'ENTER' key. The newline character created by the 'ENTER' key is replaced by a null '\0' character (which is the terminating character required for character arrays). As you can guess from the code snippet, the line of text is ultimately assigned to arrayname variable, a character array, and only receives the number of characters specified by the second parameter, size.

If the number of characters entered is greater than the number specified by the second parameter size the left-over characters remain in the input queue/stream. Remember, the next cin operation will retrieve either some or all of these characters depending upon the type of cin operation that's applied. If the number of characters is less than the parameter size then the input queue is effectively flushed and will not be a problem for the next cin operation.