Converting a Dada Mail Install From a Default Backend to an SQL Backend


Introduction

By default, Dada Mail does not use an SQL backend, but rather uses a simpler method of using a PlainText file for your mailing list subscribers (the format is one email per line) and using what's called, dbm files for everything else: list settings, archives, schedules, etc. Most likely, you're using the Berekeley DB File format.

Although easier to set up, the Default backend for Dada Mail does not have as many features as the SQL backend alternative. These include Subscriber Profile Fields, Partial Mailing List Sending, Multiple Mailing List Sending and some other neat things.

Moving from the Default Backend to the SQL Backend is doable and fairly straightforward. You'll want to be using the Advanced Installation Setup, you need to create the SQL Database and tables needed for Dada Mail and then, run the import scripts to move your current information over.


The Advanced Installation Method

We highly suggest that you use the SQL Backend with the Advanced Installation Method. If you're not currently using the Advanced Installation Method, switch your Basic Installation to an Advanced Installation:

FAQ-basic_2_advanced_installation.pod.html


Setup the SQL Database

Instructionso n Setting up Dada Mail's SQL Database Backend can be found here:

http://dadamailproject.com/installation/configuration-sql_backend.html


Run the Export Scripts

There are three separate export scripts that can be run, to move your Mailing List information from the Default backend, to the SQL backend.

The can be found in the,

dada/extras/scripts

directory of your Dada Mail distribution.

We suggest that you move them into the,

dada

directory before you run them.

They require no configuration themselves and installation is as simple as moving them into the dada directory and changing their permissions to, 755 but should be run in this order:

You may run them by simply visiting the scripts in your web browser, or running them from a shell.

Do Not run these scripts twice, or data will be doubled-up.