LiveCode Hosting

Can I use standard hosting technologies on LiveCode Hosting?

Yes, the web hosting portion of LiveCode Hosting works exactly like any other cPanel-based web host. You get all the functionality and capabilities you expect, including one-click installs of popular web applications, spam filtering, ability to host domains, etc. We host the service on top-of-the-line systems in a state-of-the-art data center. This side of the system is running on fully released, industry-standard, production-quality software. The LiveCode Server side of the service is an easy-to-use alternative to complicated server scripting languages.

The server engine supports “running stacks on the server”. What does this mean?

The feature allows the LiveCode Server engine to load stacks, and run code from there. Please note that this does not mean that a stack running on the server presents itself to the web-browser.

Why don’t you offer 5,000TB of bandwidth for $4.99?

Because our service is reliable and high-performance. Many hosting providers oversell massive amounts of bandwidth or storage because it quite impossible for you to actually use it. Your site would simply bog down if customers requested that much data from your site through these providers, or you would be hit with massive CPU overage fees. We’ve provided a generous resource allocation that we know we can provide with the performance and reliability you would expect.

What’s the difference between LiveCode Server and LiveCode for the desktop?

The LiveCode server engine has a number of server-specific features, plus it runs without a UI. The language is fundamentally the same.

Can I download the LiveCode Server engine to install on my own server?

There is an edition of LiveCode Server available for purchase and installation on your own web server, or you can download and install the free Community edition if you wish. You may not download and use the commercial edition of LiveCode Server installed on LiveCode Hosting, unless you also own a license for LiveCode Indy or Business.

Cloud and/or Web application development can be a complex process. Our goal is to produce the world’s easiest server scripting environment. We intend to streamline every aspect of the process – no more dealing with file permissions or fighting to install the correct version of an obscure library.

Will the syntax remain compatible with the desktop and mobile versions of LiveCode?

One of the core elements of our strategy is to provide a unified language that you can use for web, server and desktop development. There is no need to switch between several different languages with incompatible syntax and semantics. However there are obviously features that are appropriate in a server environment that would not be appropriate in a desktop environment and vice versa. So while the core language and syntax are the same, there are specific features developed that are appropriate to each platform.

Where do I report bugs?

Please report bugs via the Quality Center:

https://quality.livecode.com

I’m interested in trying LiveCode Hosting but I need something that you don’t have listed as a feature

We’re committed to producing a powerful and flexible service with all the options you might need. If you need something not listed, just get in touch. We’ll be very happy to help in any way we can.

I want to write LiveCode Hosting apps but I can’t move my current site at the moment

We hope you will want to move your site and we’ve made it as easy as possible. For example, if your existing site has a cPanel you should just be able to use the backup feature then transfer it to On-Rev by using the restore option. However if you really can’t move your site then you should be able to embed your LiveCode Hosting applications within your existing site by placing pages served by the LiveCode Hosting server in your existing HTML pages using iframes. We’ve included an example of how to do this in the sample scripts we’ve included.

How are you providing 24/7 support?

We handle routine enquiries during normal business hours. However our support form includes an option to flag a ticket as an emergency, in which case an administrator will be contacted by the system immediately on a 24/7 basis.

Can I buy two packages and pool the bandwidth together?

No. You may only purchase one package per person. However if you need more bandwidth, disk space or system resources than we are offering, please contact us. If you purchase these options in advance we may be able to provide a much more competitive quote than our listed overage charges.

I’m a customer of your LiveCode product. What implications does this service have for LiveCode?

LiveCode Hosting is a service in its own right and has its own team to support it. However our goal is that there will be plenty of cross-fertilization between the server and desktop and mobile versions of the product that will benefit both. It won’t always make sense to keep everything in these technologies in sync, for example features for handling cookies and sessions would not be appropriate in the desktop. However there will be plenty of cases where LiveCode may benefit. The increased resources brought by this initiative means that our LiveCode customers may benefit from this feature sooner than they would have otherwise.

Will you guys still be around to offer this lifetime service in years to come?

We have been in operation for over a decade already. Millions of people use our technology every day.

What experience do you have doing hosting?

We have been running a hosting service now for over 6 years.

Do you register domain names?

No. You can register with a third-party registrar and point your nameservers to us. Additionally, you will be given an on-rev subdomain, http://yourname.livecodehosting.com, as a default web address.

You can host as many domains with us as you like.

Can I mix LiveCode with other web languages?

Yes. We have included an example of how to use LiveCode with JavaScript to create a simple AJAX page. You can also mix and match LiveCode and other languages such as PHP on a site, provided the languages are on different pages and have the appropriate extension (.lc or .irev for LiveCode and .php for php). Alternatively you can include one page in another using an iframe and we have included an example of how to do that. If you need to mix languages on the same page you can use the LiveCode shell() function to execute another file using the shell.

What is the LiveCode language based on?

The language could best be described as a descendant or next-generation of HyperTalk, originally used by Apple HyperCard in 1987. It has since been reworked and modernized and now includes everything from object-oriented features and arrays to Internet and database access.

What browsers are LiveCode server scripts compatible with?

LiveCode scripts can be made to run correctly in all browsers, including mobile.

If I decide the service is not for me, can I get a refund?

We offer a 14 day no-questions-asked refund policy. If you decide you don’t want the service in that time we will be happy to offer you a refund in full. After the initial 14 day period you are free to cancel at any time. The service will run until the end of the current billing period at the time of cancellation then stop.

For example scripts produced with the LiveCode server see our sample scripts section.

You will find a series of tutorials on using LiveCode Server in our lessons portal. Naturally, if you purchase an on-rev hosting account you do not need to perform any of the installations steps as LiveCode Server is pre-installed for your use on LiveCode Hosting.

You may also want to refer to the LiveCode language dictionary. To see only those language terms that work in the LiveCode server environment, select “Server” from right hand pane at the foot of the built in LiveCode Dictionary.