Microsoft KB Archive/50785

Microsoft Knowledge Base

File: How Memory Works in Version 2.00

Last reviewed: October 27, 1994
Article ID: Q50785

Summary:

Microsoft File version 2.00 has two types of memory: "the heap" and "far memory."

The heap can be a maximum of 64K and is used for allocating memory to store forms, reports, and queries. The more fields in a file, the larger each of these fields becomes. With a MultiFinder partition larger than approximately 500K, the heap gets to this maximum size of 64K. If the heap is full, you will receive an out of memory message.

If Finder is used and the heap reaches its maximum size of 64K, you will receive an out of memory message.

Far memory is used to buffer data, to store pictures, and to swap code. Adding far memory speeds up data access and code execution, but File uses only as much far memory as it needs.

For example, a very rough metric to determine the optimal size for the MultiFinder partition is the size of your largest data file plus 500K. If the partition is larger than this, there is no gain.

Choosing About Microsoft File from the Apple menu gives the percentage of memory free, which is the lesser of either free heap or free far memory. To free up a larger percentage of memory, choose Save As from the File menu and give your data file a new name. This procedure frees up memory because it saves the current view of the form with a new file. The old file had two form views defined; removing an entire view will give more free heap space.

Additional reference words: datafile KBCategory: kbusage KBSubcategory: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Last reviewed: October 27, 1994 ©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.