Sum vs. Adding

[Chuck]

Is anyone aware of the relative merits (speed, size, etc.) of using the Sum function versus simply adding fields together?

For instance, is there an advantage of using:

Sum( field1, field2, field3, field 4 )

instead of

field1 + field2 + field3 + field4

?

Thanks,

Chuck

[Vaughan]

Maybe on Monday I'll make a database and test it out. How does this methodology sound:

Db with lots of records has two calculations fields, one sum() one (+) both set to unstored. Create a script that enters current time into global field, performs find on sum field, records time into global field, performs find on (+) field, enters current time into global field.

Sound OK?

[MacNut]

Wow, You learn something new every day. I never realized that the Sum Function works with commas and actually Sum's up all the fields.

I have actually gone to the extent of Sum(field A) + Sum(field : etc.

Will wonders never cease!

[LiveOak]

Chuck, this is total speculation, but since Sum() is context sensitive and may act across fields in the same record, related records, etc., I'd guess that plain ole + and - are faster. The use of Sum() also makes your solutions harder to understand. -bd

[McGoo]

I know that this is not helping the original query but it is a related query that I have and I was wondering if anyone can help me.

I am trying to create a field that will calculate the sum of a value in a field for all the records in the file. I know this is available by creating a summary field but there is so many records in my file this slows my database down considerably when opening it.