Database file doesn't exist in the specified location

Databases
1

Okay, I’m sure I’m missing something really, really basic here, but here goes…

I made a SQLiteDatabase for my Web app but for some reason (again, probably something obvious) I cannot get it to connect. Right now I’m just using the example code given in the Xojo docs to try to attempt to connect, but when I run the Web program I get “Database file doesn’t exist in the specified location.”

The database is in the same folder as the app. I tried making a test.sqlite database from within Xojo just to see if that was the issue, and it throws up the same error.

This is the code I’m using - It’s straight from the Xojo docs. It’s currently in the Session Open Event Handler.

Var db As New SQLiteDatabase db.DatabaseFile = New FolderItem("test.sqlite") Try db.Connect // proceed with database operations here.. Catch error As DatabaseException MessageBox("The database couldn't be opened. Error: " + error.Message) Return End Try

2

Built app or debug mode? In debug mode - hit Run from the IDE - it isn’t running in the same folder as the app. You may need something like

if DebugBuild then
   db.DatabaseFile = New Folderitem("").Parent.Child("test.sqlite")
else
  db.DatabaseFile = New FolderItem("test.sqlite")
end
3

Thank you for the help (and yes, debug mode). That throws up a Syntax error on:

   db.DatabaseFile = New Folderitem("").Parent.Child("test.sqlite")

I’m sure I’m doing something incredibly stupid, but this is happening even in an empty app with just the database added in, but in desktop and web app.

I have the app and the database both in the same folder.

Maybe I need to go back to the example projects and figure out where I went wrong.

4

Sorry, forum code, not tested. Try

if DebugBuild then
   db.DatabaseFile = New Folderitem("")
   db.DatabaseFile = db.DatabaseFile.Parent.Child("test.sqlite")
else
  db.DatabaseFile = New FolderItem("test.sqlite")
end

Again, untested, but syntax should be correct.

Alternately, you could run the program via Project -> Run Paused and copy the database file into the debug directory before resuming.

Or make a build step that copies the file in.

5

You will typically want to use a copy files build step to copy your existing database to the debug build folder see for more information.

Alternatively you might want to create or connect to a database file in your code. This is a typical Session.Open event handler:

[code]Sub Open() Handles Open
db = New SQLiteDatabase

db.DatabaseFile = App.ExecutableFile.Parent.Child(“test.sqlite”)

If db.DatabaseFile.Exists Then ’ Connect to the existing database
If db.Connect = False Then
// Couldn’t connect to the database file
Break
End If
Else ’ Create a new database
If db.CreateDatabase = False Then
// Couldn’t create the database file
Break
End If

// Use DDL (Data Definition Language) to create your tables & views here.

End If

// Continue processing
End Sub
[/code]

Where db is a property of Session

Public Property db as SQLiteDatabase

6

Thank you Wayne, I’ll check that tomorrow.

7

Golden Rule:
NEVER keep a file you want to update ‘next to’ the app.

1/ Thats not the same location for debug/release
2/ Somebody might move your app but not the data
3/ Most OS won’t let you write to a file in the program directory without very elevated permissions.

Create a folder for your app in a ‘good’ writable location
Specialfolder.ApplicationData is best, but Specialfolder.documents is also a possibility.
If you do that, your app will always be able to find the data, and it will be able to amend it.

8

Thank you, everyone. The solution ended up being to move the database to the Application Support folder and calling it through SpecialFolder.ApplicationData.Child

I also had a couple methods that were in the wrong place.

This is my first crack at a web app, and some of the ways it works differently are throwing me. I learned a few things here, but mostly I learned not to code when I’m also grading a 9 weeks worth of late assignments. :smiley: