Mod Help
 

I`m planning to try a databaseless chat box where everything would be stored in a xml file. Some planned add ons are the ability to have private conversations in a pop up. My question is should I use php to write to the xml file or javascript? Also could I use vbulletins xml engine to add check boxes like you can in the admincp?

You would definitly want PHP to write to the XML file, because you can do security checks. Javascript is entirely client-side, meaning anyone can reverse engineer it and get the info they need to write spam to your XML file without restriction (or worse, erase it).

Databaseless chat, huh? What's the aversion to the database?



Is this why you wanted that "security mod" with flock?

Some what yes Well most chat boxes request info from the database and its server high. Why not use xml's storage abilities instead making it less server heavy. I would have to set it so its browser compatable with IE 5 and up. Basiclly make it so a script writes the info to the xml file which wil then be displayed where ever the templates variable is added. My ajax isnt the best but wit some work and time I`ll get this mod perfected. So whats your take on this would it be feesable to to make a chatbox that doesnt request info from a database? I was thinking about using a text file so all the css info would be there and I could load it with the mark up already in place.

Fiesable? Yes. Practical? No.

It's not quite that server-intensive. Honestly, constantly writing to an XML file is more server intensive than database queries. Plus, you run into issues if people send write requests at the same time...

I see I used CYB shoutbox but it constantly send xmlhttprequests even if no ones posting which can bulid server load if its always refreshing. Any way to fix it so it only sends a request/data if the user hits enter or presses the submit button?

I never used a shoutbox, but I imagine that shoutboxes send those requests because every page has it on there, maybe even if it's hidden.

I think that you should write a javascript chatbox and put it on only one page - this will keep the requests down to whoever's actually chatting. The javascript will keep your load off the PHP engine.

I see thanks for your help mate

That requires a constant open connection from client -> server. Once the page has finished loading - that's it from a traditional HTTP point of view (the connection is then closed). AJAX "expands" this by allowing JS to send requests to the server, after the page has loaded.

Shoutboxes in this sense need to continuously poll the server to check for new messages.