Multiple files all linked through one main file?

[doobin]

Hi all,

Another stupid, probably simple problem here- but I've been at it all afternoon! Basically, I have a couple of dozen databases, one for each 'group' of records. What I'd like to do is have all these databases in the background, linked to a 'master template' and have the data entered into this template be assigned to a particular database, via the contents of a field which would form, I assume, the primary link. ie. if you enter '2' into this field, the record is added to database number 2, as database number 2 has the same field related to the field in the master template. But I can't see any easy way of doing this. Am I better off consolidating it all into one database? There'd be over 150,000 records in it if I did this!

Any help much appreciated.

[Ender]

There is no way to relate to different databases using the same fields. You'd need to use separate layouts.

If the databases have similar data, then yes, they should probably be combined. 150,000 records is not pushing the limits.

[doobin]

Thanks mate. Combining it is then. Out of interest, what would you say to be 'pushing the limits?' (G5 twin proccessor with a gig of memory)

[Ender]

I can't recall the theoretical limit to the number of records in FM7, but certainly millions should be possible. Performance degradation in large files can still happen with certain types of things, like finds on unstored fields, sorting, and file maintenance. But for a simple back-end table, these aren't an issue too much.