Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

[MoGrace]

Re: Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

Robin

That works. Have you had trouble with that process?

Only when the table had records already. Like Dave said, field rules and order entry are two problems that could crop up. It just seems like good practice to add the new fields to the end - no?

[DaveM]

Re: Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

At the end is the way to go Robin.

[CraigSchumacker]

Re: Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

I used to have issues with re-ordering fields in version 4.5, and prior. Are you guys sure that problem still exists?

Since around that time, I always jockey fields into a logical order.

I move the field around as frequently as needed for one simple reason. I group them by association to each other.

For me, this works well across the spectrum of reasons that it would.

1) When re-visiting tables I have not been in for months or years, I am more likely to 'Remember' what each field is there for.

2) As I use the traditional field rule editor more than the newer means available, setting up field rules is easier as the fields are grouped (At least in my head).

3) Fields continue to be grouped in Excel exports, when making forms and reports in the dragdrop list, etc.

Anyway, no problems for me that I can remember in recent years. Maybe I am just lucky??? That would be a first...

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

Only when the table had records already. Like Dave said, field rules and order entry are two problems that could crop up. It just seems like good practice to add the new fields to the end - no?

I have seen long index names truncated by adding fields regardless if added at the end or not, which would cause other issues including field rules and run on sentences.....

But overall no difference if fields are added at the end or somewhere else.

As always, verify that the table and structure is what is intended after the procedure.

[DaveM]

Re: Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

I used to have issues with re-ordering fields in version 4.5, and prior. Are you guys sure that problem still exists?

I have seen issues with this in v7 which I used for a very long time.
In testing with v11, I saw no issues, but have no reason to use it. I did not use v8,v9,v10 very much.
working hard in v12 these days and still have no reason for ordering.
May test it again some day.
One thought is, my tables are usually smaller than some at 3 to 140 fields at most and the 140 is a real oddity.

[nigeldude]

Re: Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

I duplicated the table with only field rules being copied, After that I was able to add the new fields to the new table. But I wasn't able to append the records from the original table to the new table because the original table does not show in the Operation genie.


Here's what I discovered when I checked the file size in windows explorer.
products.DBF = 2.56 MB
products.FPT = 1.38 GB
products.DDM = 402 KB

So, I guess the verdict is in, corrupt Memo field. The most promising solution I've found so far is: this one by Tim Sutherland

"We have tried all the memo repair utilities and have never had any success. Our table has around 300,000 records in it and the only way we can repair it is to delete 50 percent of the records (on a backup copy), compact the workspace, check the FPT file size, repeat... We keep doing this until we can isolate the record. Once the record is isolated, we delete it, re-enter it and get back to normal. This is often a several hour, not to mention tedious, process."

Is this really the best solution?

[DaveM]

Re: Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

yes. I think it was originally proposed by Tom Cone, but does not matter.

Many times just appending the records will take care of it, but you said that is not happening? I have had to type the table name in to get it to work for append.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Error: "Out of Memory" When Adding New Fields To Table

Yes, and to avoid the issue in the future the usual suggestion is to have the memo field in its own table with a single field that links to the main table. A set is created with the main table as the parent and the memo field as a child. If that is not viable in your situation then consider http://www.learn alpha.com/MemosThat...osThatWork.htm

Dave is correct. After a certain point(number?) all the tables in the database no longer show in the smart field selector in the genie. You can then type the table name or use the first option at the top of the table selector <More Files...> and navigate to the table.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Error: &quot;Out of Memory&quot; When Adding New Fields To Table

So, I guess the verdict is in, corrupt Memo field. The most promising solution I've found so far is: this one by Tim Sutherland

No I'd guess that you have data in a field that is bad.

If the memo field is corrupt, usually the size of the memo file is a little over 2 gb.

Duplicate the table and chose all the options including the records and see what happens.

or

Do you have a backup copy with a much smaller FPT? Use that and rebuild from there.

[G Gabriel]

Re: Error: &quot;Out of Memory&quot; When Adding New Fields To Table

Is this really the best solution?

No.
There is a function to fix "bloated" memo fields. I recommended in the past several times, but for the life of me, I can't remember it right now and can't search for it that easily as I am not that good with alphapedia. I am used to the old help file. Maybe someone else can point it out.

[G Gabriel]

Re: Error: &quot;Out of Memory&quot; When Adding New Fields To Table

Here is one, but I think there is another:
<TBL>.MEMO_CHECK()