Re: [MacPerl-AnyPerl] storing a DBM file

[Richard Gordon <maccgi@bellsouth.net>]

At 18:14 -0400 08/02/1999, Chris Nandor wrote:
>Depends on the needs.  I actually have databases with many fields (6-12)
>that number more than 15,000 records (25K or so?), and DBM is the best
>approach in this case, as it takes up the fewest resources and gives me the
>fastest access.  The database is also completely static, so I don't need to
>do any updates, and I don't need to run any queries other than a simple
>fetch to a key.  So as I said, depends on the needs.

True, but depending on the nature of the data, another consideration 
is whether using a single flat file is appropriate in itself (meaning 
that it's fairly likely that something with 15 fields that I assume 
is being used to catalog book inventory probably is in dire need of a 
relational schema). There is also the question of data validation for 
which I wouldn't think DBM would offer much support. However, I would 
agree that there's not much point in complifying things if the data 
is pretty static, you don't do multifield queries (in fact I don't 
even think you can with DBM, can you?), and multiple users aren't a 
big issue.


Richard Gordon
--------------------
Gordon Consulting & Design
Database Design/Scripting Languages
mailto:richard@richardgordon.net
http://www.richardgordon.net
770.971.6887 (voice)
770.216.1829 (fax)

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