database: how big is too big?

[vago_sucio]

I am designing a database in Filemaker Advanced 8 and have opted to store pdf files in a container rather than as a reference because the database may be moved around and it seems to me that I could lose the file references if the database is shifted between computers. My question is, how big is too big for a database file? These PDFs range in size from 700kb up to 10mb and we are looking at storing hundreds of them. Are there any issues that I should be aware of with a really large database file?

Thanks for any help or guidance you can give!

[stanley]

Elmerromerro:

Although .fp7 files are now limited in size only by the amount of drive space you have, you can run into serious performance issues when using containers for large stored files. One way to keep performance in line is to be very careful about when the user actually has access to the container, as the file will be loaded into memory every time the container is visible. In other words, you may want to allow users to access the container only via a button, which would then launch the contained pdf using whatever your preferred postscript application is.

-Stanley

[PS2]

Hi Elmerromerro & Stanley,

working with 8 advanced does a tab behave the same way as a button e.g. if you have say 10 photos each on its own tab do they load individually when you click the tabs or all at once when you enter the layout?

Thanks

Tony