That damn zero!

P

patrick

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One of my sites apps went live unexpectedly at midnight on the blackberry store yesterday, and downloads went from 20 a day to 400 a day. This seemed to push things slightly over the edge without me watching, so I had quite a shock when I woke up.

Anyway, I had to look into optimising my code. I re-wrote a section to cache a number of values, which helped a fair amount, but in doing so I also noticed that there was an empty field where I would have preferred a zero. Empty fields don't bother php, but on the java side on the phone, it kept requesting more data as it didn't understand the blank.

So while I was thinking a VPS upgrade was needed, it now looks like I have plenty spare capacity! Phew :)


 
I know this is off topic - but I'm curious. Why are you developing for a dying platform?
 
I developed it when BB was still going. It took nearly 2 years for it to go to the app store. I'll convert it to android in the near future.
 
JStrike said:
Two years of effort for 400 downloads a day...?
Click to expand...

Is that a little? The website is the key to the app. The BB is just a lightweight data sender. It'll be quite simple to go cross platform, which I'll do after I get my samsung.
 
I wouldn't say 400 D/Ls a day is little. More than some apps get a year. Cross-platform is definitely the way to go though.
 
patrick said:
Is that a little? The website is the key to the app. The BB is just a lightweight data sender. It'll be quite simple to go cross platform, which I'll do after I get my samsung.
Click to expand...

I suppose it depends on what your aims are, but 400 per day is really small.
But it really depends on what you aims are and who your target market is I guess
 
sp4ceman said:
my company has an app that's only been downloaded 500 times ever. to use the app you need to pay a subscription fee of R2000 a month.

point is its all relative
Click to expand...

That would result in only R100 000 a month, which would be pretty bad for two years of development.

But you are right about it being relative
 
the real problem here is. how can a number ever be empty......

null != 0
 
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Tander said:
Which platform?
Click to expand...

we have versions for iOS and android with windows mobile coming soon. its a very small very specialised app that's made to be used in conjunction with our subscription service. its basically some small portions of the website only on your phone.

the point was though that even low numbers when it comes to downloads can mean loads of cash, it all depends on the context.

400 downloads a day on a dying platform is insane dude. well done.
 
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