DBI::SQLite and apache [SOLVED]

halfcountplus has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I am using DBI::SQLite in a mason context. Since I'm new to this stuff, I'm writing (non mason) test scripts and then transferring the syntax into the web app code. So, this is the "mason" code that worked in a script:

% my $db = DBI->connect("DBI:SQLite:$db_file");
% if (exists $ARGS{name}) { $db->do("insert into subjects (name) value
+s ('$ARGS{name}');");
%   print $ARGS{name}; }
% my $sql = $db->prepare("select * from subjects");
% $sql->execute;
[download]

The prepare and execute work fine. However, initially the write (do insert) line produced this in httpd's error log:

unable to open database file at /var/www/html/mason/subjlist.comp line 4.

Even tho the file is owned by apache. So I changed the mode to 666 from 644 (probably not advisable) to see what would happen (ie, if maybe perl is running as a different user), but I get the same response. The print debugging line comes out correct, and there is no SQLite error.

What have I missed?

Comment on DBI::SQLite and apache [SOLVED] Download Code

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Re: DBI::SQLite and apache by perrin (Chancellor) on Jun 12, 2009 at 18:22 UTC
Either you used a relative path to the file, which you should change, or there's a permissions problem with an enclosing directory.	[reply]
Re^2: DBI::SQLite and apache by halfcountplus (Hermit) on Jun 12, 2009 at 19:15 UTC
Changing the ownership of the db's directory worked. Thanks!	[reply]
Re: DBI::SQLite and apache by CountZero (Bishop) on Jun 12, 2009 at 18:56 UTC
How do you know that the `connect`, the `prepare` and the `execute` "work fine"? You do not test the return value of these functions. Add some `or die ...` or `or warn ...` code to these functions and see what that does. CountZero A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^2: DBI::SQLite and apache by afoken (Chancellor) on Jun 12, 2009 at 20:18 UTC
Even better: Let DBI do that for you: `connect` with `RaiseError => 1` and every failing DBI method will `die` automatically. If you expect that a function may die, wrap in in an `eval { BLOCK }`. This is the usual way to handle transactions: Code that may fail and the final `commit` are wrapped in `eval`, followed by a `rollback` when `$@` is true. Alexander -- Today I will gladly share my knowledge and experience, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so". ;-)	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^3: DBI::SQLite and apache by halfcountplus (Hermit) on Jun 12, 2009 at 20:32 UTC
Much appreciated!	[reply]
Re^2: DBI::SQLite and apache by halfcountplus (Hermit) on Jun 12, 2009 at 19:09 UTC
How do you know that the connect, the prepare and the execute "work fine"? You do not test the return value of these functions. No, but there are already "subjects" in the database and these are read and displayed correctly. Perhaps I should have explained this further...in any case, it is not because $db is a bad handle. I will add the warns tho, you are right, they should be there from the start.	[reply]