When developing client-server database applications, it is important to consider the location of the data. Any data under the control of the database server contributes to both the load on the network as well as load on the server machine. Because of this, it is important to analyze the data associated with a given application and determine the best location (or locations).

Static data, or data that does not change, can be duplicated and distributed over the client workstations to reside under Zim control. This type of data is typically part of the application. A table of help screen text messages is an example of static data that can (or should) be located on the client workstation.

Data that changes on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis can be located on both the client and server workstations. An application can down load this data (or part of it) to a local copy at an appropriate time. The single server copy would be updated as required and client workstations would pick up any updates automatically.

Finally, there is dynamic shared data that resides on the server and is shared by the client workstations. This type of data resides under the SQL database’s control and be accessed and manipulated from within Zim.