counting total visits in particular page

Question

hi....

i am wishing to count total number of visits on any particular page with also the ability to work when IIS reset is done, i think by using database we can solve it.

Do you have any idea how to count total number of visits on any particular page?

any reply will highly appreciated.

thanks in advanced!!

Pasan Ratnayake · Answer

Hi there, Yes. Your line of thought is certainly what would do the job. But if you look at your code and my suggestions more closely, there are 2 points to ponder. 1. Your code needs to copy pasted to all the pages. Isn't it easier to write a seperate static class which encapsulates this logic and you can call that method in all the pages? Also, your code has not trapped a scenario where the passed path is not there in your table, isn't it? Something like below? if (!isPostBack) myPageCounter.markPageCount(Request.Url.ToString())); The other thing is you must check if (!isPostBack) condition before executing your page count code if not you would be recording everytime the user refreshes a page or clicks a button or link, everytime you go back, etc. 2. I suggest you write a stored procedure for this matter since there can be quite alot of pages as you mentioned which would directly affect the performance of your website. Just move the SQL into a stored procedure on your database server where you pass the path as a parameter. Hope this helps. Regards !

Mahesh Chand · Answer

When you say "visits" that usually means "number of visitors". If you want total number of page views, yes, you need to write code on each page' Page_Load event and make sure it is NOT postback.

Abhimanyu K Vatsa · Answer

@Pasan Thanks, your reply is little helpful for me now. I think I have to use following alogs: I have to create a table containing two columns, counthits and pageurl....right? and then have to use something like Page_Load() path=Request.Url x=SELECT counthits FROM TABLENAME WHERE pageurl=path; x=x+1 UPDATE TABLENAME SET counthits=x WHERE pageurl=path; End Will above concept work?

Pasan Ratnayake · Answer

Ohh I am sorry. My bad. I thought you just wanted a basic idea of what to do. My first suggestion is that you take a look at MVC pattern. If you just read through it you will see that all client requests are processed through a central controller. If you implement your web site using this pattern, all you have to do is to inject your code for keeping page counts. If this is not a possibility, have you read about HttpModules in .Net (Google about them "HttpModules C#")? These intercept the client request before the ASP.NET framework processes the request. You can write a generic http module which reads the client request and keep tab of the request counts at a page level. If this is also not a possibility, you are left with placing a method call to a generic static controller which keeps tab of the page counts where the function call would look like something below; if (!isPostBack) myPageCounter.markPageCount(Request.Url.ToString())); if (!isPostBack) myPageCounter.markPageCount(Request.Url.AbsoluteUri); if (!isPostBack) myPageCounter.markPageCount(Request.Url.AbsolutePath); if (!isPostBack) myPageCounter.markPageCount(Request.Url.OriginalString); Okay. Enough said about the possibilities, I'll go into the implementation of the actual function. At the very basic level you have to; 1. Create a table with 2 columns; a column to store the page URL and the other to store the count. 2. Create a stored procedure which accepts the page URL as a parameter. The SP would then check whether the page URL exists in the table. It will update the count if it exists or it will insert the page URL into the table with a count 1. 3. Call this SP within your function. All the ways I have suggested implements your requirement independent of the page URL or the actual page. Also, about the function implementation, you can store pretty much any detail you want there and in a much structured/organized way depending on your requirement. Furthermore, if you are worried about the performance, that's pretty much why I suggested a Stored procedure for this purpose which would delegate the work load to the database server. Hope this helps and do get back with any more concerns.

Abhimanyu K Vatsa · Answer

@Mahesh Sir Thank you very much sir. Well that's very simple to count sessions using Global.asax file. Assume I have total 1000 ASP pages and I want to display page visits on each page separately not combined like. The best example, look at articles on this great community, you can find total visits on article separately and the same thing I am wishing to learn. But I am confused how to accomplish it. Please help me ! Thanks Mahesh Sir

Mahesh Chand · Answer

You can count total number of visitors and visitor sessions in Global.asax file by implementing Session_Start and Session_End event handlers. Session_Start event is raised, when a visitor starts a new browser session. On this event handler, you need to increase the value by one (store in database and add one) and on Session_End, decrease by one. This will give you current sessions open for a Web application. You do not want to use Page_Load.

Abhimanyu K Vatsa · Answer

@Pasan Thanks for this. You reply is little markable. I think I have to increase the database value by 1 in each Page_Load() event of separate page, right? Assume if I have 1000 content pages in my website then I have to create 1000 tables or say 1000 columns, right? It is also very difficult to maintain. I think, there is no any role of Global.asax as outlined above. To eliminate such problem, i think there should be some way to store counted hits in same content page and have to increase that data by 1. What you say? I am confused....not solved this problem yet Thanks

Abhimanyu K Vatsa · Answer

@Hiren Thank you very much for your reply. I know that, how to count hits on individual page and the link you are providing it very-very bored or say useless because it is supposing to advertise. Well re-look at my question, I am wishing to count on separate pages and also wanna store it in database for IIS down elimination problem. Please have look at my question......it is little difficult. Thanks

Hiren Soni · Answer

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Pasan Ratnayake · Answer

A simple table which contains the name of the page and the number of visits would help to solve this problem. All you have to do is that everytime a user requests for the particular page, increment the number of visits for the specific page by one in the page load event. Unless your requirement is different or complex, this should help.