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Memo fields

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    Memo fields

    Ah yes, another post about Memo fields. Is there an INDEX for memo fields that can be rebuilt? Where are the memo field information kept? Since a memo field is just a pointer really, where are the memos..really.

    I'm thinking about this because I have a memo field that on its own will switch memos between disparate records. Now isn't that interesting? How can this occur and is there any solution..other than not using memo fields?

    #2
    Re: Memo fields

    back end database type? i.e. dbf, ms_sql, mySql, ???

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Memo fields

      Oh, it's DBF..native Alpha.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Memo fields

        Dennis

        There is extensive discussion about memo fields on this board and on other venues. A search engine will help you find a wealth of information.

        One of the primary design flaws with memo fields is a lack of a two way pointer. There is only one pointer from the data record to the memo field value. So when that pointer is corrupted, there is not a way to rebuild. (at least not an automatic way)

        A distinct advantage of an SQL database is the controlled commit that is more solid than a dbase update.

        That said Murphy will strike both types and cause problems - perhaps at a different rate.. (I'm still waiting for perfection.. it'll be a long time coming.)
        Al Buchholz
        Bookwood Systems, LTD
        Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

        Occam's Razor - KISS
        Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
        Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
        When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
        "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
        Albert Einstein

        http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Memo fields

          That answered my question. And I see the container for the memo field is in the DBF itself--not wise. If I were redesigning, I'd create a child 'memo' table. Live and learn.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Memo fields

            Yes, using a child table linked 1:1 for your memo field data is smart.

            There's a useful article at www.learn alpha.com called "Memos and Browses that work", or some such. Has proven invaluable to me.

            There's also a relatively new method for the TBL object in alpha that may be of some help. Check here.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Memo fields

              Originally posted by Dennis Mathias View Post
              That answered my question. And I see the container for the memo field is in the DBF itself--not wise. If I were redesigning, I'd create a child 'memo' table. Live and learn.
              Actually the pointers for the memo field are in each record in the <tablename>.dbf, the memo field data is stored in the <tablename>.fpt file.

              The pointer indicates the starting block within the <tablename>.fpt to locate the memo data.

              As always, Tom Cone has provided additional helpful information.
              Al Buchholz
              Bookwood Systems, LTD
              Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

              Occam's Razor - KISS
              Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
              Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
              When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
              "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
              Albert Einstein

              http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Memo fields

                This is helpful! So, I looked at the FPT file with notepad and sure enough the info is in there! Now, how to get it out. Do you suppose this is just a DBF file re-typed? If I could import that, I would loose no data. Then I could do a one-to-one link to a table that has memos in it. This is real help! And BTW, I did look around for some inside information like this..never was really satisfied. Now I need to find out what an FPT is. Probably not DBF because the field length would not be static. Must be some sort of START-STOP codes. Little beyond me at the moment. But, seriously, THANKS!

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Memo fields

                  There are utilities available to fix memo linkage problems.

                  One is Dsalvage

                  They require that you manually reset the pointer to the proper block address for the memo data.

                  It's a long and tedious process.

                  How many records are in your application?

                  When was the last backup done that has no memo problems and how much data has been entered since?

                  The answer to these and other questions ($) will help you determine the solution path for you.
                  Al Buchholz
                  Bookwood Systems, LTD
                  Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

                  Occam's Razor - KISS
                  Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
                  Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
                  When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
                  "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
                  Albert Einstein

                  http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Memo fields

                    We have about 6000 records in the parent and maybe 15000 children. We don't know when the memo issues occurred but we're noticing them now.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Memo fields

                      Not that it helps you, but memo field corruption is unheard of in the sql world as far as I know. Also, a Visual Foxpro developer-friend of mine who has used VFP every day for 20-years says he has never heard nor seen memo field corruption in VFP. Of course VFP isn't using dbfIII either, but it does use dbf. Just stating this as a point of reference.
                      Peter
                      AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

                      [email protected]
                      https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Memo fields

                        Actually, by accident I have found a memo rebuilder (sort of) embedded in A5V11. There is a "Check/repair memo fields..." under "Utilities" which you can display by right clicking on your {table} in the Control Panel. Just what I wanted! I came across this accidentally although it doesn't seem to be mentioned in the documentation.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Memo fields

                          Originally posted by Dennis Mathias View Post
                          Actually, by accident I have found a memo rebuilder (sort of) embedded in A5V11. There is a "Check/repair memo fields..." under "Utilities" which you can display by right clicking on your {table} in the Control Panel. Just what I wanted! I came across this accidentally although it doesn't seem to be mentioned in the documentation.
                          did it fix your problem?
                          Al Buchholz
                          Bookwood Systems, LTD
                          Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

                          Occam's Razor - KISS
                          Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
                          Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
                          When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
                          "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
                          Albert Einstein

                          http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Memo fields

                            I can't say for sure since I had done some repairs manually. But I didn't even know about this. I need to read more.

                            Comment

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