Q60132: BASIC PDS 7.00: ISAMREPR Always Adds 32K to a .MDB File

Article: Q60132
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 7.00
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | SR# S900321-28 | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 3-APR-1990

The ISAMREPR.EXE utility provided with Microsoft BASIC Professional
Development System (PDS) Version 7.00 always adds at least 32K to an
ISAM database file during the repair process. This is correct behavior
for ISAMREPR and is documented on Page 384 of the "Microsoft BASIC PDS
7.0: Programmer's Guide."

This information applies to Microsoft BASIC Professional Development
System (PDS) Version 7.00 for MS-DOS.

During the repair process, ISAMREPR allocates 32K or more of extra
space as "work space" for use while repairing the file. This space is
automatically added to the file at the beginning, before any deleted
or damaged records are found during the process. For instance, if
ISAMREPR is run twice on the same file, at least 64K will be added to
the file, even though the repair might not have been necessary the
first time. However, this added space is not "lost"; it is reused as
new records or tables are added to the file.

If the size of the file becomes unmanageable because of unused space,
ISAMPACK.EXE can be used to remove the unused space and reduce the
size of the file.