Max Semenik writes:
I've got some bot-related questions:
- What is the optimal request size for getting content of a large
list, e.g. is calling api.php?action=query&list=categorymembers 10 times with cmlimit=10 more server-hoggy than calling it once with cmlimit=100?
Use limit=max.
- Should bots make delays between such calls?
No, I think.
- How CPU-expensive is editing via https://secure.wikimedia.org ?
Would it be wise to allow people to use AWB via HTTPS?
Why do you need it? You may login using it, but of course this would be very CPU-expensive both for client and server.
- How severe can be strain put on servers by retrieving contents of
a huge categry with its subcategories?
Not very severe, I think. But you may test it yourself: install MediaWiki, create many pages and categories with a bot, and then retrieve contents of them using profiling. --VasilievVV