Perl keeps track of online orders
Watching the Delivery Man
© UPS
A distributed database based on the distributed Git version control system relies on a Perl script to help users track Internet orders. When the goods arrive, purchasers update their stock counts, wherever they may be at the time.
If you are like me, and really enjoy buying cheap goodies on the Internet, you might feel uncertain at times as to whether the things you ordered really will arrive just three days later. The thrill of spending can cause bargain hunters to lose track. It seems only natural to store the orders you place in a database and update it when the goods arrive. Of course, you need the database to be available from wherever you spend your money.
And that could be anywhere: in the office, at home, or maybe on your laptop in a cheap motel room. Maybe you don't even have Internet access, and after recovering from the shock of being inundated by mysterious parcels, you might have to update the database locally, only to synchronize it later when access to the net has been re-established.
The Git distributed version control system [2] seems like a perfect choice for the job. Put together in no more than two weeks by the kernel guru Linus Torvalds to replace the proprietary Bitkeeper product, Git manages the Linux kernel, patching and merging thousands of files at the blink of an eye. Of course, speed isn't an issue for the application I have in mind, but it's good to know that Git can synchronize various distributed filesystem trees without breaking a sweat, thanks to its integrated push/pull replication mechanism (Figure 1).
[...]
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Mint 22.3 Now Available with New Tools
Linux Mint 22.3 has been released with a pair of new tools for system admins and some pretty cool new features.
-
New Linux Malware Targets Cloud-Based Linux Installations
VoidLink, a new Linux malware, should be of real concern because of its stealth and customization.
-
Say Goodbye to Middle-Mouse Paste
Both Gnome and Firefox have proposed getting rid of a long-time favorite Linux feature.
-
Manjaro 26.0 Primary Desktop Environments Default to Wayland
If you want to stick with X.Org, you'll be limited to the desktop environments you can choose.
-
Mozilla Plans to AI-ify Firefox
With a new CEO in control, Mozilla is doubling down on a strategy of trust, all the while leaning into AI.
-
Gnome Says No to AI-Generated Extensions
If you're a developer wanting to create a new Gnome extension, you'd best set aside that AI code generator, because the extension team will have none of that.
-
Parrot OS Switches to KDE Plasma Desktop
Yet another distro is making the move to the KDE Plasma desktop.
-
TUXEDO Announces Gemini 17
TUXEDO Computers has released the fourth generation of its Gemini laptop with plenty of updates.
-
Two New Distros Adopt Enlightenment
MX Moksha and AV Linux 25 join ranks with Bodhi Linux and embrace the Enlightenment desktop.
-
Solus Linux 4.8 Removes Python 2
Solus Linux 4.8 has been released with the latest Linux kernel, updated desktops, and a key removal.