Blog

968x601 Database

Database backups

Probably the second-most requested feature is the ability to export a Roastmaster database for either safekeeping or to use for other purposes. Taking a small break from roasting curves, I finished the coding for this feature tonight.

In addition to its own internal backups, and the backups that are created when syncing with iTunes, Roastmaster now supports file sharing via iTunes. You can copy your Databases or Backup Databases directories from you iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad to your computer via iTunes. Inside these copied folders, you’ll find the sqlite database files. Should you need to reimport them later, just copy them back to the shared folder and Roastmaster will import them at the next launch.

This feature will be available in the next update.

Cheers!

About the Author

Danny HallHome Coffee Roaster and App DeveloperView all posts by Danny Hall »

  1. Thomas
    ThomasSep 27, 2010

    Hi Danny,

    Good to see other features added to this great app.

    Another thing I would love to see, is the time (in hours and days) since roast. Maybe even time stamp it on the tasting notes too, this way it’s a lot easier to see how the roast developes over time.

    Just a nice thing to have really 🙂

    Kind regards,

    Thomas

  2. Kyle
    KyleNov 10, 2010

    Any chance you guys are looking at developing an iPad app? Would love to have this on the larger screen!!!

    • Danny Hall
      Danny HallNov 11, 2010

      Hi Kyle

      Hmmmm – I don’t know the answer to that yet. I’ve thought a lot about a professional version, running on a desktop for roasting shops – structured a little differently for large-scale use. Seems like the iPad would be a great “satellite” tool for the roasters to use, then submit data back to the main computer at the end of the day in that scenario. Whatever the course ends up being, it would have to be a completely separate app. Roastmaster is too complicated to try and pull off a universal app.

      I’ve waited on the larger scope decisions until after version 2 is uploaded to Apple (hopefully tomorrow). After that, I consider it complete from a major feature standpoint, and want to concentrate on the smaller things that users are asking for beyond what I’ve included in version 2.

      So, thanks for the feedback – it comes at a good time. I need to know what direction people want it to take.

      Danny

  3. Sandy
    SandyNov 26, 2010

    Love the database backups

  4. Willem
    WillemNov 21, 2011

    To copy files/folders from the app via iTunes works great, however, when I try to copy them back to the app via iTunes I can only get files into the root of the app, I cannot access or drill down into the individual folders..

    • Danny Hall
      Danny HallNov 21, 2011

      Hi Willem

      iTunes won’t let you drill down into the folders. All you need to do is copy the sqlite files to that root folder. Whenever you launch Roastmaster, it scans the root of that folder and imports any stray sqlite files it finds into the databases directory. The trick is this scan is only performed on a “cold” launch, so if your device supports multitasking, you’ll need to quit it from the background tasks after you’ve copied the file over to trigger the import.

      The next Roastmaster update is code-complete – I’m in the testing stage now. Databases, roasters, profiles, programs, curves and label definitions can all be exchanged via dropbox, email, URL links, etc, as well as a more streamlined version of the current iTunes file sharing. It will be a breeze compared to the cumbersome nature of iTunes file sharing.

      For now, though, just drop them in that folder and perform a “cold” launch. Let me know if you have any issues.

Leave a Reply to Thomas Click here to cancel reply.