Math Is Fun Forum

simron

Real Member

Registered: 2006-10-07

Posts: 237

Forum error

Sometimes, when I click on a topic, it comes up with this error:

An error was encountered
Error: Unable to connect to MySQL server. MySQL reported: User mathsis already has more than 'max_user_connections' active connections.
What is this?

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Linux FTW

random_fruit

Member

Registered: 2008-12-25

Posts: 39

Re: Forum error

MySQL is the system (a database management system) which stores and organises the message texts of Maths is fun.  When designing an application of a database, it is desirable to have an allowed maximum number of uses at any one time.  The error message above says the system has already reached this limit, and so you can't connect.

simron

Real Member

Registered: 2006-10-07

Posts: 237

Re: Forum error

Yes, but when I refresh, it goes away.

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Linux FTW

random_fruit

Member

Registered: 2008-12-25

Posts: 39

Re: Forum error

Perhaps in the time it takes you to refresh, the number of users goes down?  It's probable that the database system (MySQL) only has a user connected during the period the messages are being selected from the database.  This is only happening between a user clicking on a message title and the message text appearing on his/her screen.

random_fruit

Member

Registered: 2008-12-25

Posts: 39

Re: Forum error

Perhaps in the time it takes you to refresh, the number of users goes down?  It's probable that the database system (MySQL) only has a user connected during the period the messages are being selected from the database.  This is only happening between a user clicking on a message title and the message text appearing on his/her screen. 

Amusing... when I pressed the 'submit' button for this post, I got the same message myself!

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Forum error

Hi random_fruit

  I am getting that error also. Thanks for the MySQL info.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Forum error

The server is having a busy day.

I set limits so it does not run out of memory ... if memory runs low it starts shutting down entire services that would disable the site.

So rather than have the building burn down it is better to limit how many people can be inside at one time.

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Forum error

Hi MathsisFun;

  Thanks for explaining it.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.