Before we all try to create a Rube Goldberg solution to your problem, perhaps we should examine the original premise. Could you tell us why you think you "need" to add a key with only 5 values when your shortest chain will likely be at least 4000 records out of 85,000 total? Hopefully, you do not plan to walk these chains interactively. Assuming it is a batch process, you are going to be better off using a serial read and select (especially if you can acquire a third-party tool for fast serial reads) as Jerry Fochtman suggests. > -----Original Message----- > From: John Pearce [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 1997 9:23 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Single character Image key > > I need to add a new key to an Image detail dataset. The key is a > single > character with five values (0-4). About 80% of the 85,000 records > will > have the same key value (0) and thus a long, long chain. The > remaining > 17,000 records should be spread about equally through the other four > values > and still long chains. > > I recall someone posted a technique to overcome the long chains > situation. > Unfortunately, it appears that was one message I didn't archive. :( > If > someone has the original message or knows the technique, could you > please > send it to me via e-mail? Thanks! > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------ > John Pearce <[log in to unmask]> | Bethesda Management Company > Speaking for only myself | Colorado Springs, CO USA