Sletten Kenneth W KPWA wrote:

> Jerry and Michael already gave the substantive answer to
> Larry's question...   I will add one small caution;  where Michael said:
>
> > Why not just take Image out of the problem by using dynamic
> > data set expansion.  It works for details and masters and
> > relieves you from the tedium you've been experiencing.
>
> Excellent suggestion.....   Dynamic Dataset Expansion (DDX) is
> one of the really nice new features to be added to IMAGE in the
> last few years.... and for DETAIL datasets you can run DDX for
> as long as you want;  unless and until of course you either:
> (1)  Hit MAXCAP
> (2)  Fill up your discs.
>
> Although:  One SIDEBAR minor caution on DDX for DETAILs:
> Don't set your INCREMENT too small;  if you run for a long time
> with a tiny increment and do not regularly defrag your discs, I
> expect your datasets could get pretty badly fragmented (YMMV
> I suppose;  depending on available free space and free area
> distribution)....
>
> Anyway:  From my recollection of all discussions about DDX for
> MASTERs, I would caution users that letting MASTER DDX go
> on for a long time may lead to performance problems;  i.e.:  The
> number of entries added in the expansion area becomes a
> "significant" percentage of the original hashing capacity (I'm
> not going to guess at what "significant" is tonight;  again expect
> YMMV).  I like to think of DDX for MASTERs as a somewhat
> temporary "safety catch";  that will keep you going until the next
> convenient opportunity to rehash the master;  not a permanent
> operational state like DDX for DETAILs (except for MASTERs
> that only gain "a few" additional entries after initial load or etc.,
> of course).....  IIRC HP has used similar words about Master
> DDX at recent SIGIMAGE meetings...
>
> Ken Sletten

Thanks for all the input, I'm learning some new stuff witn Data Bases.  My
problem is we are using an application from the 70's called Growth Power
(written in Basic).  I have sent questions to Mappics (owners of GP) asking
if they support DDX.  I am waiting for their response.  I have to be
carefull about turning on these tools  GP is very sensitive to change.


--
Larry Barnes
Director of I.T.
Mitek Corp.
602-438-4545 X 1366
Phoenix, AZ 85040

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