[GNC] Two Instances as opposed to two separate files

[Chris Green]

On Sat, Jul 15, 2023 at 10:58:27AM +0100, Michael Hendry wrote:
> On 14 Jul 2023, at 13:24, Chris Green <cl at isbd.net> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > On Fri, Jul 14, 2023 at 01:06:36PM +0100, Maf. King wrote:
> >> On Friday, 14 July 2023 12:34:28 BST Fross, Michael wrote:
> >>> I  run multiple instances at the same time, but you have to open different
> >>> data files. I’d keep them in different directories to be tidy.
> >>> 
> >> 
> >> I don't do it often, but have had occasion to have GC side-by-side on 2 data 
> >> files at the same time.
> >> 
> >> What I have done is start a 2nd instance of GC, let it warn me that the data 
> >> file is in use already, select open read-only then file-> open to the second 
> >> data file.  (I have 6 in regular use).  But I'm on Linux, don't know it that 
> >> would work the same on any WinOs flavour.
> >> 
> >> Agree 100% about keeping each data file in its own sub-directory, and about not 
> >> changing prefs while 2 instances are running!
> >> 
> > I have quite a lot of separate GnuCash 'instances' where 'instance'
> > means a GnuCash data file (Sqlite database in my case).
> 
> Ah, I was thinking that by “instance” you meant a running copy of GNC with 
> its own GNC file. Unless you are running each instance as a different user, 
> my understanding is that you’re risking cross-contamination of configuration 
> settings, as GNC is a one-file-at-a time product. 
> 
I occasionally run two copies of GnuCash and there don't appear to be
any significant issues when I do this.  It's quite a rare occurrence
though as, with small (one year only) database files a GnuCash
instance starts very quickly so I just start and stop them as required.

> > 
> > I am a PCC (Parochial Church Council) treasurer, this requires me to
> > submit audited accounts to the Diocese each year.  It also requires
> > separate accounts for 'restricted' and 'unrestricted' funds. 
> > Restricted funds are those donations which have been specifically
> > given for the upkeep of our church building as opposed to being used
> > for general expenses.
> > 
> > I thus keep separate GnuCash data files for 'restricted' and
> > 'unrestricted' in each financial year.  With a little bit of simple
> > scripting (this is Linux) I can go to any year's dirctory and simply
> > enter 'gnc' to see that year's current/unrestricted accounts and 'gnb'
> > to see the building/restricted accounts. I never have to mess about
> > changing the dates on reports to see different years, I never have to
> > explicitly specify which data file to use (because it's in the
> > directory for the year I'm looking at).
> 
> I can see disadvantages in this approach (which I couldn’t use on my Mac anyway!)
> 
> 1. Assuming you create a new data file for each each unrestricted and restricted 
> account each year, you lose the prompts for recurrent transactions (e.g. 
> Payment to The Corner Shop from the current account to the Expenses:Tea, 
> Milk and Biscuits account). 

Yes, but it's hardly a big loss.  One only has to re-enter a repeated
item once a year!


> 2. Similarly, you lose the capacity to produce multi-year balance sheet 
> and income & expenditure reports to compare the most recent year’s performance 
> against previous years. 

We (or the Diocese) have absolutely no need for multi-year reports.
Anyway it's hardly more difficult to produce a balance sheet for 2021
and a balance sheet for 2022 and compare them. Plus I never have to
change start and end dates for reports, for a particular year they are
cast in stone for all reports.


> 3. If you start to use the new data files immediately the new year begins, 
> you have to enter starting balances for the accounts. If you discover you’ve 
> missed an entry in the previous year, made an incorrect entry, or have 
> issued a cheque which has not been cashed by the year end, you have to 
> remember to adjust for all of these (which would certainly be a problem 
> in my case). 

With 'cash accounting' it's trivial to ensure the end of year figures
are correct, they **must** be the same as the bank statement for 31st
December.  Similarly uncashed cheques simply don't appear, a cheque
payment only appears in the accounts when it is actually debited from
the bank account.

-- 
Chris Green