Using the Big Int Utility

WARNING! Only use this utility if you are upgrading from a version of Ektron that precedes 7.6.

The Big Int Utility changes certain references of the Data Type int (VB) or int32 (C#) to long (VB) or int64 (C#) inside Ektron methods used in your Web site. See Also: Why Ektron Changed the Data Type.

It is important to note that this utility might not catch all instances that need to be changed. After running the Big Int Utility, you should precompile your Web site. Next, check for error messages that state: during the compile process, the system cannot convert int (VB) or int32 (C#).

If these messages appear, go to the line of code and change the data type to long (VB) or int64 (C#). For example, The Big Int Utility will not change the Return Type of a function. For information on scenarios where the Big Int Utility does not change a data type, view the following KB article.

http://dev.ektron.com/kb_article.aspx?id=21436

Another way to verify that all the necessary int and int32 references have been changed to long and int64 is to run the Bad link checker located in Workarea > Reports > Contents >Bad Link Report.

Why Ektron Changed the Data Type

In version 7.6, Ektron changed the Data Type for its primary IDs from int (VB) or int32 (C#) to long (VB) or int64 (C#). For example, Ektron now uses the long or int64 data type for user IDs and content IDs.

This change was implemented to handle the larger IDs needed for eSync. See Also: Unique ID Numbering

While Ektron made this change to accommodate eSync, the change affects all Ektron sites being upgraded to version 7.6 or higher.

Running the Big Int Utility

1. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Ektron\CMS400v8x\Utilities\BigIntUtility.
2. Double click CtrlH.exe. The Big Int Utility screen appears.
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3. Click Browse.
4. Select the site root folder and click OK.
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5. Next, click the other Browse button to select a location to store the backup.
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6. Select the folder where your site will be backed up. If you want to create a new folder, click Make New Folder.
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7. Click Convert.
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8. The utility goes through your Web site's files, finds references to int (VB) or int32 (C#) in your Ektron methods, and changes them to long (VB) or int64 (C#). An int or int32 is changed only when used inside an Ektron method.

   WARNING! Whenever a file is changed, a copy of the original is added to the backup directory.

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   NOTE: Depending on the size of your Web site, the conversion might take a while to complete.

9. Once the conversion is complete, close the utility by clicking the red X in the upper right corner. Your site has been updated to use long (VB) or int64 (C#) instead of int (VB) or int32 (C#) in Ektron methods.
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10. Precompile your Web site.
11. After compiling, check for error messages that state: during the compile process, the system cannot convert int (VB) or int32 (C#). If these messages appear, go to the line of code and change the data type to long (VB) or int64 (C#).

    Another way to verify that all the necessary int and int32 references have been changed to long and int64, is to run the Bad link checker located in Workarea > Reports > Contents > Bad Link Report.

The Log File

A log file of the changes is located in C:\Program Files\Ektron\CMS400v8x\Utilities\BigIntUtility. The log file's name is based on the date and a series of numbers.

This log contains a list of files that were processed. If a file was changed, the log lists the line number and what was changed. For example:
Line 487 - Changed 'ByVal content_id As Integer' to 'ByVal content_id As Long'.