B4J Question Server app structure and logics

[peacemaker]

HI, All

I'm trying to make a B4J server app as Windows service, for the first time.
1) Now my app is UI, with a form interface.
2) But constant background work is required after any PC restart.
3) But the UI is also needed sometimes for manual setup, preparing the data for app work.

So, should it be a service on a Windows OS ?

What is wrong in my next text ?

* Server app must use "StartMessageLoop"
* "StartMessageLoop" is applicable only to the non-UI apps.
* Only a non-UI app can be a Windows background service
* If only Windows OS is needed: a server OS version is not the must for the background service. Regular OS version is also OK for Windows service running. (BTW, what Windows OS version now should be chosen for cheapest server solution, for 1-2 users only ?)

All these correct ?
If yes - how to add a required, but rarely used UI to such app ?

 

[Pendrush]

Server app CANNOT be B4J UI app.

You have a lot of different solutions, here are my preferred two:
1. Run server non UI app, then use web UI (html) to fill and submit form.
2. Run server non UI app with API interface (probably best solution is JSON), then run second B4J UI app which utilize (get/post) server API with OkHttp.

 

[peacemaker]

Server app CANNOT be B4J UI app

Clear, thanks. What about "win service" type ? Server app under Windows must be a service ?

1. Run server non UI app, then use web UI (html) to fill and submit form.

Not so clear here. Could you explain a bit more detailed ?

If the UI is dynamical picture redrawing interface - it's not good for HTTP web-interface, slow.

 

[Pendrush]

Server app under Windows must be a service ?

No.

If the UI is dynamical picture redrawing interface - it's not good for HTTP web-interface.

I don't get it?!? Why not?

 

[peacemaker]

Why not?

Slow refresh, i guess. 10-20 FPS is needed to be visible on the interface.

 

[peacemaker]

No.

But how to arrange auto-run at PC boot without user login?

 

[Pendrush]

Slow refresh, i guess. 10-20 FPS is needed to be visible on the interface.

Use solution 2.

But how to arrange auto-run at PC boot without user login?

You can create batch (.bat or .cmd) file and run it from win scheduler.

 

[peacemaker]

Use solution 2.

But this is the same network HTTP data exchange... Slow for 20 images per second ?

 

[Pendrush]

I do not know your use case, so I cannot help you.

 

[peacemaker]

Thanks for Scheduler idea again - it's working ! UI app on Win server is started by Scheduler at PC boot OK !
But it's running as the background thread and after login the interface is not visible