, )

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The checkserverconnection( function checks to see if the specified server is connected.

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Parameters

This function has two parameters:

server – name of the server to check. If empty, then use the server associated with the current database

timeout – connection timeout (in seconds). If not specified, the default specified in the Client preference panel will be used.

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Description

This function tests the connection to the specified server. It returns true if the connection is ok, false if there is a problem.

if checkserverconnection("Company Server")=false()
    alertsheet "Sorry, server is not connected."
    return
endif

The default connection timeout for this function is normally specified in the Client Preferences panel (usually the default is 30 seconds), but you can add a second parameter to override this. This example will only give the server 5 seconds to respond.

if checkserverconnection("Company Server",5)=false()
    alertsheet "Sorry, server is not connected."
    return
endif

Note: This function tests the connection by sending an “are you alive?” request to the server. If the server responds to this request, the connection is deemed good. Note that the “are you alive?” function is built into Panorama Server, so this is more comprehensive than a simple TCP/IP ping request, it actually verifies that Panorama Server is running and responding to requests.

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See Also

• Panorama Server -- sharing a database across multiple computers, or even across the entire internet.
• abortifstructurelocked -- Check if database structure is locked, if it is, notify user and stop program.
• addremotehost -- makes a remote host available to this computer.
• adjustservervariable -- adjusts the value of a server variable. This is an "atomic" operation, so it is multi-user friendly.
• adjustservervariable( -- adjusts the value of a server variable. This is an "atomic" operation, so it is multi-user friendly.
• Advanced Server Settings -- Panorama X Server settings for advanced users.
• alerttimestampmismatches -- display mismatched time stamps.
• assignservervariable -- assigns a value to a permanent variable on the server. If the server variable does not already exist, it will be created.
• Automatic Record Numbering in a Shared Database -- generating unique numbers across multiple users.
• bonjour( -- returns a list of available hosts.
• bonjourserversenabled( -- returns true if client access to bounjour servers (on local network) is enabled.
• bookmarkshareddatabase -- saves the local location of the current shared database.
• Bulk Data Transformations on Shared Databases -- using formulafill, propagate, etc. in a shared environment.
• Changing the Design of a Shared Database -- modifying database fields, forms and/or procedures.
• checkserverconnection -- checks to see if the specified server is connected.
• checkserversynchronization -- checks the synchronization of the current database.
• checkstructurelock -- Check if database structure is locked, if it is, notify user and stop program.
• Client/Server Debug Instrumentation -- using instrumentation with Panorama X server and clients.
• clientimportallocaterecords -- contacts the server to allocate new records when importing or appending new data.
• clientimportuploaddata -- contacts the server to upload and insert new records to the server when importing or appending new data.
• cloakeddatabasename( -- converts the regular "uncloaked" database name into the internal "mangled" name used on the server.
• connecttoserver -- reconnects the current database to the server (after the dropserver statement has been used).
• Controlling and Monitoring the Server Connection -- overriding automatic server connection behavior.
• Creating a Shared Database -- convert a single user database into a shared database.
• databaseoptionsdialog -- opens the standard Database Options dialog.
• dbserverdomain( -- returns the server domain for the database.
• defineservervariable -- defines the value of a permanent variable on the server. If the variable already exists, it is not touched.
• deletewebtemplate -- deletes the web template (a dictionary) associated with a form (if any).
• disconnectedserver -- takes the current database offline without contacting the server.
• downloaddatabasefromserver -- downloads a database file from a Panorama server.
• downloaddatafromserver -- asynchronously downloads pre-calculated binary data from a Panorama server.
• downloadrecord -- downloads the current record from the connected server.
• downloadrecordwithwarning -- downloads the current record from the connected server, with a warning if the record is currently locked.
• dropallshareddatabases -- drops the connection to all shared databases. Panorama uses this when the client is about to quit, could also be used if you know you are about to go offline.
• dropserver -- disconnects the current database from the server.
• enterprisecall -- calls a procedure in a server database, opening and closing the database if necessary.
• forcelockrecord -- immediately locks the current record.
• forcesynchronize -- force synchronizes the local database with Panorama Server (downloads all records, not just recently modified ones).
• forcesynchronizeall -- force synchronizes all open databases.
• forceunlockallrecords -- immediately unlocks all records in the current database.
• forceunlockdatabaserecord -- immediately unlocks an arbitrary record in the specified server database.
• forceunlockrecord -- immediately unlocks the current record.
• getserverlog -- retrieves information from one or more server logs.
• getserverlog( -- retrieves information from one or more server logs.
• getwebtabletemplate -- converts a web table template (created by the Text Export Wizard) into the format compatible with the HTMLDataTable statement.
• getwebtabletemplate( -- converts a web table template (created by the Text Export Wizard) into the format compatible with the HTMLDataTable statement.
• getwebtemplate -- retrieves the web template (a dictionary) associated with a form (if any).
• getwebtemplate( -- retrieves the web template (a dictionary) associated with a form (if any).
• getwebtemplatetext -- retrieves the text of the web template (a dictionary) associated with a form (if any).
• getwebtemplatetext( -- retrieves the text of the web template (a dictionary) associated with a form (if any).
• grabwebformitems -- grabs multiple web form items and stuffs the values into fields and/or variables.
• hostdatabases -- downloads a list of available databases on a Panorama X Server.
• hostdownload -- downloads a shared file to this computer, prompting the user for the location.
• hostedfiles( -- returns a list of open databases associated with a specified host (server).
• info("runningonserver") -- returns true if code is running on Panorama X Server, false if running on client.
• info("serverconnectionstatus") -- returns the status of the connection between this database and the server.
• info("serverupdate") -- returns true if the server update option is currently turned on (this is the default).
• info("unsharedrecordid") -- returns the minimum ID for unshared records.
• Installing and Launching Panorama Server -- instructions for getting Panorama Server up and running, as well as best practices for configuring system settings on a server computer.
• installpanoramacgi -- installs Panoramax.cgi for use with external web server.
• Introduction to Panorama X Team Server -- using a server extends the reach of Panorama beyond a single computer to a network of connected computers, or even across the entire Internet. This topic introduces the concepts needed to understand the operation of the Panorama X Team Server system, including multi-user database sharing and database web publishing.
• letservervariable -- creates a server variable and assigns a value to it.
• listwebtables -- generates a list of web tables (generated by the Text Export wizard) in the specified database.
• listwebtables( -- returns the list of web tables (generated by the Text Export wizard) in the specified database.
• listwebtemplates -- retrieves a list of web templates in the specified database, if any.
• listwebtemplates( -- retrieves a list of web templates in the specified database, if any.
• lockcurrentrecord( -- attempts to lock the current record, returns true if successful, false if failed.
• lockedrecordlist -- returns a list of records locked in the current database.
• lockorstop -- attempts to lock the current record. If the record is currently locked by another user, the procedure stops with an error
• lockrecord -- attempts to lock the current record, and waits if it is currently locked by another user.
• Logging Server Activity -- recording server activities for later analysis.
• Looking up Data Directly from the Server -- local in-memory vs. server lookups.
• Manually Uploading a Quick Patch to the Server -- uploading a procedure or form.
• panoramaxservercgiurl( -- returns the URL associated with a Panorama X server cgi.
• panoramaxservers( -- returns an array of available Panorama servers.
• panoramaxserverurl( -- returns the URL associated with a Panorama X server.
• Permanently Deleting a Database from the Server -- remove a database from the server.
• Permanently Detaching a Shared Database from the Server -- unshare a shared database.
• Record Locking and Editing Shared Data -- coordinating data entry across multiple simultaneous users.
• Record Locking in Procedure Code -- implicit and explicit management of record locking.
• recordislocked( -- tests whether the current record is locked on this client.
• remotepanoramaxservers( -- returns the names of all Panorama X servers that are remotely accessible from this computer.
• removeremotehost -- makes a remote host unavailable to this computer.
• renderwebform -- renders a Panorama web form into HTML, merging data into the template as necessary.
• renderwebform( -- renders a Panorama web form into HTML, merging data into the template as necessary.
• renderwebtable -- renders a web table using records selected with WebSelect in the current database.
• renderwebtable( -- renders a web table using records selected with WebSelect in the current database.
• Restricting Server Access -- limiting Panorama X Server access to authorized users.
• resynchronize -- synchronizes the local database with Panorama Server. This is the same as choosing Synchronize from the File menu.
• retrywebform -- retries a web form that has missing or invalid data.
• savewebtemplate -- saves a web template (a dictionary) associated with a form.
• Server Administration Wizard -- this wizard is used to monitor the operation of Panorama servers (both local and remote servers can be monitored), including monitoring server status, checking database status and downloading databases, and monitoring the status of user sessions.
• Server Variables (Shared Variables) -- sharing variable values across multiple users.
• serverformulafill -- fills a specified subset of records in a shared database.
• serverjournalcode -- writes code to journal file.
• serverjournalcurrentrecord -- writes the current record to journal file.
• serverlog -- adds a line to one or more server logs.
• serverupdate -- temporarily disables record locking and server updates when using a shared database.
• servervariable( -- returns the value of a server variable (a permanent variable on the server).
• sethiddenwebformitem -- adds a hidden field to a form on a web page.
• Setting up a Computer as a Panorama X Client -- instructions for setting up a new client computer so that it can access a Panorama X server.
• Shared Database Synchronization -- data synchronization across multiple users.
• shareddatabasebookmarkedpath( -- retrieves the local path and filename of a server database (if any).
• sharedusers( -- returns a list of users that are currently using the specified database.
• Sharing Icon & Context Menu -- operation of the sharing icon and pop-up menu (in the toolbar).
• startbonjour -- starts monitoring the local network for available hosts.
• startnewdatabasegeneration -- starts a new generation of the current database to the server (must be a shared database).
• stashwebformitems -- takes the variables created with the GrabWebFormItems statement and assigns them to fields in the current record.
• stopbonjour -- cancels monitoring of the local network for available hosts.
• synchronize -- synchronizes the local database with Panorama Server. This is the same as choosing *Synchronize* from the *File* menu.
• synchronizeall -- synchronizes all open databases.
• Synchronizing in Procedure Code -- customizing the data synchronization process.
• Temporarily Disconnecting a Shared Database from the Server -- pause database sharing.
• uncloakeddatabasename( -- converts the internal server name of a database to the regular "uncloaked" name.
• undefineservervariable -- destroys a server variable.
• uploaddatatoserver -- uploads binary data to the server.
• uploadfiletoserver -- uploads a file or folder to a Panorama server.
• uploadnewdatabasegeneration -- uploads a new generation of the current database to the server (must be a shared database).
• Using an External Web Server -- instructions for using Panorama Server in conjunction with an external web server (for example Apache, Nginx, etc.).
• Web Cookies -- web cookies.
• Web Only Databases -- databases that are web published but not shared (no synchronization).
• webdatabaseadminpage -- generates a web admin HTML page for the current database.
• webdatabasetoform -- fills in an HTML form with database field values.
• webformallitems( -- returns a list of POST parameters passed from a form to the web server as a carriage return separated list.
• webformerrors( -- returns a list of errors that have been collected with the WebFormItemCheck statement.
• webformhiddenitems( -- returns a list of the hidden items in the web form submitted to this web procedure.
• webformitem -- sets a field or variable with the value of a POST web form item (used when processing a web query with Panorama Server).
• webformitembang -- sets the text generated by the webformitembang( function.
• webformitembang( -- returns an exclamation point, icon or symbol to indicate an error in a web form for data entry.
• webformitemcheck -- uses a formula to check the validity of a web form item.
• webformitemerror( -- returns the error for a specific web form item, if any (used when processing a web query with Panorama Server).
• webformitemnames -- returns a list of POST parameters passed from a form to the web server as a carriage return separated list.
• webformitemnames( -- returns a list of POST parameters passed from a form to the web server as a carriage return separated list.
• webformitems( -- returns a list of POST parameters passed from a form to the web server, including both visible and invisible items (but excluding the special items Panorama generates for its own internal use).
• webformmerge -- fills in an HTML form with database values (fields and variables).
• webformmissingfields( -- lists required fields that were not been entered into a web form.
• webformname( -- when processing data input into a web form, this function returns the name of the Panorama form associated with the web form (if any).
• webformrecordid -- adds a RECORD_ID hidden field to the HTML of a web form.
• webformselection -- selects data based on input from a web form. The web form must have fields that match the database fields.
• webformtodatabase -- updates the current database with information from the web form that was just submitted.
• webformvisibleitems( -- returns a list of the visible items in the web form submitted to this web procedure.
• webmerge -- merges an external HTML template file with fields and variables from the current record.
• webselect -- select data on web server using a formula.
• webserverinfo -- retrieves additional information about the web server and the current browser request.
• webthisrecordkey -- makes a key for use with the WebURLSelect statement to specify the current record.
• webthisrecordkey( -- makes a key for use with the WebURLSelect statement to specify the current record.
• weburlfind -- finds a record based on keys in a URL.
• weburlselect -- selects one or more records based on keys in a URL.
• Working with Sharing Disruptions -- dealing with network & power outages, disconnections, and other anomalies.
• Working With Summary Records in a Shared Database -- summary records are not shared between users.

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History

Version	Status	Notes
10.2	Updated	The optional connection timeout parameter was added in April 2023.
10.2	New	New in this version.