[comp.databases] dBase IV - "Out of Memory" Error

pyr440@psc90.UUCP (Computer Junky) (07/24/89)

I am having trouble with dBase IV.  I am running it on a 40 MB Hard Drive 
and have plenty of RAM (EXTENDED/EXPANEDED).  I keep getting this error that
says something about there not being enough memory.  I tried reseting my 
?BUCKETS? What is the syntax for such a toggle.  There is nothing about it in
all the books I have on dBase IV.  Does AnyBody else have this problem?
Please help.

email to      - uunet!unhd!psc90!pyr440 or pyr440@psc90
thanks in advance.

keithb@hpindda.HP.COM (Keith Broussard) (07/25/89)

Ashton-Tates support told me that the Insufficient Memory error
returned by dBase IV does not necessarily mean that you have run out
of available RAM on your machine.  It can be returned when dBase IV
itself runs out of its own internally-allotted memory.  

If you are using deep nesting within programs, or complicated and
numerous @SAY...GET's, you may run out of memory.  Sometimes, I run
out after continuous looping in programs.  It turns out that there are
some bugs that can cause memory seepage (i.e. occasionally resources
are not returned to the system, resulting in gradual and eventual loss
of available memory).

The BUCKETS command might alleviate your problems.  Try increasing the
number of BUCKETS by putting the BUCKETS command in your config.db
file:
	BUCKET = x
where x is the number of buckets to allot.  I can't remember off hand
(don't have a manual with me) if the default is 2 or 4, but I know now
that I am using 6, and that has helped immensely (except for the
memory seepage problem).

You can read about the BUCKET command in the Reference manual for
dBase IV in the "Customizing dBase IV" section.

Hope this helps!  Good luck, 
Keith Broussard