ASP in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition

Name

ScriptTimeout — Server.ScriptTimeout [ = lngNumSeconds ]

Synopsis

Specifies the maximum amount of time the web server will continue processing your script. If you do not set a value for this property, the default value is 90 seconds.

Parameters

lngNumSeconds

The number of seconds you want the web server to continue processing your script before it times out, sending the client an ASP error.

Example

<%

' The following code sets the amount of time before the
' script times out to 100 seconds. If the script takes
' more time than 100 seconds, the script will time out and 
' a timeout error will be sent to the client.
Server.ScriptTimeout = 100

%>

Notes

The number used in setting the ScriptTimeout property's value must be greater than or equal to that set in the AspScriptTimeout property in the IIS metabase or the setting will be ignored. For example, the default setting of AspScriptTimeout in the IIS metabase is 90 seconds. If you use the ScriptTimeout property to decrease this time to 10 seconds without first changing the setting in the metabase, the script will still time out after 90 seconds.

You should consider decreasing the AspScriptTimeout property in the IIS metabase. 90 seconds is a long time to wait for processing a web request. Show me a user who is willing to wait for a minute and a half, and I'll show you a user who has fallen asleep. However, if your application requires a longer timeout setting, consider using an interim "Please wait . . ." page whose OnLoad event will ...