PERFECT FIT keeps all historical data in the main data file. As the size of the data file grows certain operations and reports will run slower. In order to maintain a “slim” data file, the user has full control over which internal files are kept and which are purged, or deleted.
Three choices:
1. Do not purge; maintain long history; run a slower data file.
2. Purge old data; have less historical data, run a smaller and faster data file.
3. Upgrade to a more robust data file and/or hardware; maintain historical data and have a faster data file. -$$$-
This Guide Note will address option #2.
PERFECT FIT can be used with more than one data file. This allows you to make an ARCHIVE Data File which will contain historical data that has been purged from the Main data file. Thus purging will still allow you to keep historical data; it will just be less convenient to access it.
Step by Step instructions:
1. Make a Copy of the the main data file PFData.df1. Rename the copy to PFArc697.df1, or some other name that references the word ARCHIVE and the DATE it was made. PFArc697 can be the name for the June 1997 archive. For easy access this should be kept in the same directory as the Main data file.
2. Open PERFECT FIT. Go to File > Change Data Files. Select and open the main data file PFData.df1. This step is optional; it is just to let the user become familiar with the Change Data Files command.
3. While in the Main Data File, Go to Maintenance > Purge > …select the files to purge. Please see the Guide Note titled PURGE DATA for a discussion of which dates and files to purge.
4. Repeat step 3 for each of the files to purge.
5. To view the Archive Data, go to File > Change Data Files. Select and open the ARCHIVE data file PFArc697.df1. To return to the MAIN Data File, Go to File > Change Data Files. Select and open the main data file PFData.df1.
WARNING: If you QUIT or EXIT PERFECT FIT while the ARCHIVE Data File is Open, the next time that workstation opens PERFECT FIT it automatically opens that archive file. You may want to make it a habit to always return to the main data file before quiting, or always look at the bottom of the opening window to see which data file is open.
PURGING old data will NOT reduce the size of the data file. It will create more Free Blocks, and allow the data file to accept more data without having to increase the data file size. Creating an Archive data file will use MORE space on your hard disk. It has no effect on the computers RAM memory.