Buffer command not automatically doing anything, updating data

[dhogan]

I have a log table that works fine in qlik using a Load...Select statement sequence.  I've also successfully added a store command at the end to commit it to a QVD.  But now that it is working I need the app to keep reloading the data from the log table in the db so the client has the latest data in qlik and we're not having to reload it manually.  Enter what appears to be the purpose of the Buffer command.  I have tried the following arrangements:
 - Buffer (incremental, stale after 1 hour)

 - Buffer (incremental)

 - both of the above with and without the deliberate store command at the end

What I've found:  Qlik doesn't reload the data at all from the db on its own.  The app only shows the latest data after I myself go in and click the load data button.  This doesn't make any sense given the help file states "QVD files can be created and maintained automatically via the buffer prefix."  There is nothing automatic at all about what the buffer command is doing as it relates to getting the latest table data from the db.  What am I missing?  Also, is the only way to automatically reload data to use the data reload scheduler in QMC?

[rwunderlich · Accepted solution]

The script must be executed, either manually or by schedule, for the data to be reloaded. 

The Buffer prefix does not cause a script to be executed. Buffer is not a scheduling tool. 

What Buffer does is cause a local copy of the data to be created. When the script is executed, if the data is "not stale", the local copy will be used.  If it it is "stale",  the data will be fetched from the DB.  Buffer is a performance tool.

Buffer is likely not useful in your case.  You just want to use the server scheduler to load this every hour. 

-Rob