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Memo field questions

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    Memo field questions

    I believe I recall some casual conversation while at the Alpha conference regarding the pros and cons of using memo fields.

    I am considering using a memo field in a table with a large number of records to record notes. What I thought I recalled was that the memo fields may be more unstable than character fields. Is this true?

    What about being able to upgrade to future versions of Alpha? Have memo fields been as transferrable as character fields?

    When a memo field is set up I notice it is assigned 10 characters. When entering into a memo field how large a block of characters does it open at a time?

    Any other thoughts that would help me decide whether to use a memo field vs. multiple character fields?

    Thank you for your suggestions and guidance.

    #2
    Originally posted by Marilyn Wallace
    I am considering using a memo field in a table with a large number of records to record notes. What I thought I recalled was that the memo fields may be more unstable than character fields. Is this true?
    We have yet to have been sent a single reproducable example of memo fields being corrupted.

    What about being able to upgrade to future versions of Alpha? Have memo fields been as transferrable as character fields?
    They are 100% backwards and forwards compatible, as the structure hasn't changed in years and years. It is based on the FoxPro 2.6 DBF format.

    When a memo field is set up I notice it is assigned 10 characters. When entering into a memo field how large a block of characters does it open at a time?
    An individual memo has no limit to its size, but the memo file itself (the .FPT file) cannot exceed 2 GB.

    See this link
    Database Maximums

    Any other thoughts that would help me decide whether to use a memo field vs. multiple character fields?
    If you need unindexed freeform text data that exceeds or may exceed 255 characters, you need to use a memo field
    Aaron Brown
    Alpha Software Development Team

    Comment


      #3
      Thank you and Another question

      Thanks, Aaron.

      How efficient is a memo field as far as conserving storage space? How large a block of space does it open at a time, after the initial 10 characters??

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Marilyn Wallace
        Thanks, Aaron.

        How efficient is a memo field as far as conserving storage space? How large a block of space does it open at a time, after the initial 10 characters??
        Ignore the 10 character thing, it is just used as a placeholder. The memos are stored in a separate file. Memos should be very efficient at conserving storage space, but packing the table periodically to remove deleted records is a good idea.
        Aaron Brown
        Alpha Software Development Team

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