Continual running program???

[NJudson]

I have an idea for a program which when started will open up a telnet session and download data. Then import the data in Access 2000 and analyze it. If the analysis does not meet certain criteria then open up another telnet session and perform a series of commands and also email the failed criteria to appropriate people.

I think that I want this to run every hour on the hour or at least every 2 hours. My question is would it be better or more efficient to have the program continually running and just have a timer set to run the code every hour or should I set up a task scheduler program to open this program every hour and have the program triggered by the autoexec macro and close down when finished.

I think I'm more inclined to use the task scheduler method because the program wouldn't eat up as much memory that way...is this correct??? Well, I hope I kinda explained my situation and thank you for your time at looking at this and advising me on which direction to go. Thanks.

 

[FloBob]

If you have NT/2k you can start the database with AT scheduler from a dos prompt (or for the mouse lovers there is winat). I would use that instead of access to schedule.. reason being is if the machine gets reset this will still work. you would have to manually start the program or put it in your startup folder. Up to you.

 

[NJudson]

I'm running WIN98SE on my computer and I will be designing the program on it but if it gets up and working then the program will be sent elsewhere and I have no idea what operating system it will run on. I do like your idea of placing task scheduler in startup. I think I'll go that route. Thanks.