[Mapserver-dev] FCGI & Database Failure

[Paul Ramsey]

Now that we have FCGI, we have database connections that can persist for 
quite a while.

This means that the issue of in-process database failure is no longer 
one we can ignore.

So, for every connectiontype that is doing connection pooling, there 
needs to be a test right after the connection is obtained from the pool 
of "is this connection any good?". And then something useful has to be 
done if it is not. What should that useful thing be?
(a) try to reestablish the connection?
(b) shut down the whole process and let someone else clean up the mess?
(c) punt on this layer, but let other layers try and finish their work?

This brings up the general case of database/layer failure, which is what 
is the correct behavior in the case of failed data sources? Should we be 
dying with prejudice, or trying to let the layers that *do* work finish 
their jobs?

Paul