Ninox file format

Hi Sean - That is really interesting. I don't understand why the old data is simply left in the files. I've used several other databases from 1986 onward and they all have (had) data management built in re old data!. This probably goes some way as to why I am having issues with one of my main DB's that has the 800k records in a table - This data is constantly updated daily. If the old crap if left hidden then no wonder the DB is bloated!.

Were you able to ascertain if deleted records are truly being deleted or just flagged?

Totally agree - a compact aka remove crap button/option would be great! Jeez this if fundimental stuff!

Also explains what is going on when I duplicate the DB evert few months and rename (as you suggest above ) the file size drops!! Now I know why - Thank you

cheers Mel

Under the Options tab (beside the "Data model" tab) ther are "Rebuild index" and "Reindex files" buttons? What exactly does each do? Hard to tell as when they both bring up a dialog saying it will take some time, but there is never a progress bar or any other indication of when/if it is done. Why?

From running other database systems over many years. My guess insofar that the reindex allows the system to get rid of any holes left in the system or issues with stuck records!

Lets says you have 3 records - called rec1, rec2 and rec3 and you delete rec2. Thus - This record should be gone - but has it or is it’s just flagged internally and no longer visible to the user. Re index would get rid of the deleted record once and for all rec3 that had an index of 3 would now have an index of 2.

I have asked Ninox previously on a couple of occasions to fully explain all 3 options inc rebuild thumbnails, but to date have never received an answer

Sean the rebuild buttons are in the cloud version - Only whenever I tested them (even screwing my data to test! in a play copty of course) not seemed to happen.

now calle this co incendence but I have just receied a reply to my emails to support (Hmmm ?)

Here is Ninox answer

Dear Mel,

These buttons will clean the Index file in the database if they have had a lot of changes with setting the indexes while building the database and if you have a lot of traffic (inserting and deleting records) in your database.

Rebuild index and Reindex files - will rebuild the search indexes and will speed up the search of big databases. The indexing function should be used by experienced Ninox users when search functions or select are running very slow.
These two buttons will recreate all currently necessary indexes for fields (if you have set indexes on fields) and for your attachments.

Rebuild thumbnails - May be used when the thumbnails from the images are not showing correctly, which can be caused by the same reason as the index slow performance.

There you go - Now we know!!

Just a guess, but maybe the Reorganize function reduces clutter. The database filesize should be a lot less in the reorganized file than the original.

Peter ...

Sean

"The indexing function should be used by experienced Ninox users". Seems like a very patronising statement to me!. Experience is only ever gained by doing/learning something! - Ie Pratice-Feedback-Learn! - The suggestion from Ninox is that it will reduce unwanted space etc by compactation etc.

With my very large database and weekly uodates of over 30k records at a time I can test this on a copy DB and report back, but it will have a to wait about abouut a week until I get a chance.