INTERACT FORUM

Networks and Remotes => Media Network => Topic started by: DaveL on December 21, 2010, 08:43:54 am

Title: MCWS File Keys
Post by: DaveL on December 21, 2010, 08:43:54 am

What is the suitability of using the MCWS file keys for a local cache?  For a given library will they remain unique over time?  Or are they recalculated each time the server restarts?  If a file is removed from the server can it's key be reused?

Title: Re: MCWS File Keys
Post by: DaveL on January 04, 2011, 07:07:18 am

Bump

Title: Re: MCWS File Keys
Post by: Matt on January 04, 2011, 08:06:51 am

Quote from: DaveL on December 21, 2010, 08:43:54 am

What is the suitability of using the MCWS file keys for a local cache?

File keys are unique, permanent, and can be used between runs.

Quote

For a given library will they remain unique over time?

Yes.

Quote

If a file is removed from the server can it's key be reused?

No.  Theoretically there's a corner case where after importing over 4 billion files (even if 3.99 billion have since been removed) the keys will, by design, circle.  I think this can be ignored in practical application.


A final note is that the MCWS browse IDs are _not_ permanent or immutable.  They are generated at run time and only work for a single run of the program.  This is because the browse hierarchy is customizable and can be built from expressions, so that assigning each value a permanent ID doesn't really make sense.