_globals.asp

What does this file do?

The _globals.asp file contains functions, subroutines, and information required by all scripts and pages within 20/20 DataShed. It is a storage facility for source code that all other files need access to.

Permissions and Security

Server

This file may inherit the permissions from its parent folder; but also requires that the IUSR_<localmachinename> (or equivalent) user account have NTFS permissions to read the file.

For comprehensive NTFS file and folder permission settings please see File/Folder Security (NTFS Permissions).

Internal

This file does not require internal security measures.

How to Maintain

This file does not require maintenance.

Included In (Files)

This file is made available to all ASP scripts in 20/20 DataShed and its functionality is therefore available to every script and page in the product. Specifically it is included (via SSI) in the following:

f-calculators.asp
f-email.asp
f-email_to_friend.asp
f-login_reminder.asp
f-print_page.asp
f-quicklist.asp
f-showimage.asp
listings.asp
login.asp
newuser.asp
setup.asp
2020admin/_locals.asp

Inherits (Files)

The following files are included (via SSI) in _globals.asp:

_clsAuthentication.asp
_clsValidateURL.asp
_clsImage.asp
_2020applications_connection.asp

Other Features

This file is filled with all kinds of features. Most of which may have little or no use to you but some that may be very interesting.

Activating Features of this File With a Querystring

Remember this file and its features are available to every page and every interface in 20/20 DataShed. Therefore the following information can be applied throughout the product -- no matter what page you're currently browsing. The following querystring information can be passed to this file.

anyPage.asp?objApplication=RemoveAll: This querystring will force 20/20 DataShed to remove all contents from the application cache (stored in the server's memory). The server will then cache new information.; If you need to translate the product or re-create HTML template files, then this feature will be essential. This is because the templates are stored in memory so that 20/20 DataShed has immediate access to them without having to read the file (over-and-over-and-over) from the hard drive. You may notice that when you upload a new template 20/20 DataShed still displays the old template; this is because the old template is still in memory. Sending this querystring to _globals.asp will force the server to drop the old information and refresh its cache.; Click here to view this in our online demo (Although you may not notice any difference!): ?objApplication=RemoveAll; Note that the Application.RemoveAll method is called automatically when the administrator logs out of the administrative area. By this the server's cache is refreshed periodically without having to manually perform this operation.
anyPage.asp?WriteLanguageStrings=0 (or any number): This querystring will force 20/20 DataShed to write the entire list of current language strings to the web page.; The number indicates which string to start at. For example, anyPage.asp?WriteLanguageStrings=0 will begin at zero and write all the strings to the page; while anyPage.asp?WriteLanguageStrings=190 will begin at string #190 and continue through to the last one.; This querystring may be very helpful when translating the product or testing your translation.
anyPage.asp?Strings=Hide: This querystring will force 20/20 DataShed to not print language strings to the web page.; This may be helpful to you when you are re-creating the template files -- perhaps you would like to view the web page without text? Perhaps you would like to see whether your page design (tables and divs, etc.) will expand, contract, or resize properly?; Click here to view this in our online demo: ?Strings=Hide
anyPage.asp?strLanguage=en-ca (or any valid language identifier): This querystring can be used to present 20/20 DataShed to your visitors in any language they choose.; For example, if you have created three language packages (in the languages.xml file) then you could create links for your visitors whereby they can view your web site in any one of those languages. Note that the if you send your visitors to "?strLanguage=es-es" but you have not created a Spanish language package, then 20/20 DataShed will again default to "en-ca". Furthermore, the strLanguage variable is then stored on the visitor's computer in a cookie and each subsequent 20/20 DataShed page they visit on your site will be presented in the specified language.; Note that 20/20 DataShed will always default to "en-ca" (English-Canadian) unless otherwise specified in the "Regional Settings" of your 20/20 DataShed installation.; We have created a free plug-in which may help your visitors choose their own language on your web site if your web site is multi-lingual. Click here to view the "Choose Language (Free)" plug-in.
anyPage.asp?strTemplatesURL=(A URL): This querystring can be used to present 20/20 DataShed to your visitors in any HTML template (or group of templates) that you desire. For example, perhaps you would like to create templates in different languages or you would like to test a new set of templates that you are creating.; The URL in this querysting (the value of strTemplatesURL) will be stored in a cookie on the visitor's computer. Each subsequent 20/20 DataShed page that the user visits will be injected into the templates found at that URL.; Note that the URL must end with a forward slash: "/" as in http://www.google.com/; Click here to view our online demo loaded with a foreign template: ?strTemplatesURL=http://www.2020datashed.com/themes/business_blue/; Click here to view the same web address loaded with a different template: ?strTemplatesURL=http://www.2020datashed.com/themes/autumn_gold/
anyPage.asp?strUseGlobalStyles=False: This querystring will instruct 20/20 DataShed not to import the 2020applications_stylesheet.css file.; This feature is most useful when altering or reconstructing a cascading stylesheet for use on your web site. This process is described more in the articles about the 2020applications_stylesheet.css and 2020applications_adminstylesheet.css files. It may be helpful to disabled one, the other, or both of these stylesheets so that you may see how each individual CSS (as well as your own) cascade through the elements on each page.; This querystring needs to be used with following the ?objApplication=RemoveAll command. As in: anyPage.asp?objApplication=RemoveAll&strUseGlobalStyles=False. This ensures that the server drops the current cache and reloads the temlate (this time without the global style sheet).; This effect will last until the server refreshes the application cache (and reloads the templates), such as when a user logs out of 20/20 DataShed.
anyPage.asp?strUseAdminStyles=False: This querystring will instruct 20/20 DataShed not to import the 2020applications_adminstylesheet.css file.; This feature is most useful when altering or reconstructing a cascading stylesheet for use on your web site. This process is described more in the articles about the 2020applications_stylesheet.css and 2020applications_adminstylesheet.css files. It may be helpful to disabled one, the other, or both of these stylesheets so that you may see how each individual CSS (as well as your own) cascade through the elements on each page.; This querystring needs to be used in following the ?objApplication=RemoveAll command. As in: anyPage.asp?objApplication=RemoveAll&strUseAdminStyles=False. This ensures that the server drops the current cache and reloads the temlate (this time without the admin style sheet).; Note also that the administrative pages in 20/20 DataShed also import the global stylesheet. So, to view the administrative area without both the global and admin CSS, you should use the following querystring: anyPage.asp?objApplication=RemoveAll&strUseGlobalStyles=False&strUseAdminStyles=False; This effect will last until the server refreshes the application cache (and reloads the templates), such as when a user logs out of 20/20 DataShed.
anyPage.asp?intDSI=0 (or any number): This querystring will instruct 20/20 DataShed to connect to any one of the available data sources that are defined in the _2020applications_connection.asp file.

How to Customize

This file cannot be customized.

Warning

If you must access this file using another product or software, then do so at your own risk; such activity is not supported by our license agreement and may void 20/20 Application's technical support obligations.