IMPORTANT issue with MV closing incorrectly

[Nutty171]

THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY! Whenever RMMV closes incorrectly, such as with a recent power flash, all of the files that it was using are replaces with spaces. Luckily, I had backed up that game relatively recently, but there's still a lot of work that I lost. But there is one little footnote. There is a chance that it was my OS' fault. But even then, it's still a huge problem, because I'm using Windows 7, and likely many many other people are as well.

To replicate:
Step 1: Open MV
Step 2: Unplug Computer
Step 3: Hope you remembered to back up that project.

 

[SimProse]

As far as i've read, this is a known issue with MV, due to the way it leaves databases and files open while it runs, if I recall correctly.

 

[Nutty171]

MV has been out for more than a year, right? This seems like it should be on the top of their list of fixes.

 

[Pine Towers]

Don't think there's an easy way to "fix" it. MV must open the file to write on it, and the PC shutting off with an open file may corrupt it, be it MV, Word or GIMP (nasty one that, happened to me once, lost much spriting work).

A "fix" would effectively double the amount of data, by creating a back-up file for each file open. And slow down the opening of the editor, since it would need to check if the file is corrupted, if not, make a back-up of it, if it is, load the back-up file.

 

[Nutty171]

I know that it would be difficult, I'm not trying to say that it isn't. You definitely bring up a good point, too. But I have 0.00004 experience in programming so I get to say, "they're programmers, they should be able to fix anything," right? ...Right? No? Okay...

 

[bgillisp]

It can't be fixed, sorry. This happens because the database is open while the program is running. To fix it would either require MV to freeze for 1 - 2 minutes every time you save (which would lead people to thinking the comp was frozen), or wreck other key functions of databases.

Plus, even if it went the route of stop everything when you hit save (as it opens and closes the files again), all you'd have to do is unplug your comp when it is saving to recreate the same issue. And, this occurs on ANY product if you power off right as it is saving. Basically, this issue has existed since the DOS days with products due to how saving of files works, and cannot go away, sorry.

 

[Andar]

As bgillisp explained, it cannot be fixed without introducing even bigger problems.

There is a reason why all databases work this way, even the biggest commercial databases for financial transactions - and you can bet that those programs tried everything to make data secure. Why do you think those large computer clusters have special batteries to allow them an emergency shutdown in case of power failure?
That is because even they would still loose data on power failure, and the only way to prevent that is if you purchase and install one of those special power supplies for your computer.

 

[Nutty171]

Touché.