Mysterious database growth

[charper]

I've got FMP 4.1.

Everytime I open my database, go into layout mode, return to browse mode then close the database, the database gets larger by about 1.5k. because I've gone in and out of layout mode hundreds of times this database is permanently using up hundreds of kb just so I can have the privelege of using layout mode. What gives? What is using all this space for? An event log?

[Vaughan]

Errr, what are you doing in layout mode? Graphics take up a lot of room in databases.

Are you Mac or PC? Do you have a PC virus or something? (just guessing here)

[charper]

I'm on a PC, not a mac. FMP 4.1. Windows 98.

I'm not doing ANYTHING in layout mode. I meant exactly what I said:

I open the file, enter layout mode, return to browse mode, close the file and viola....its always about 1.5k bigger than it was before I opened it. I don't do anything in layout mode to replicate this problem - I simply choose to go into layout mode then quietly and politely leave. Shouldn't my file remain the same size after these totally benign actions? What's its excuse for permanently hogging 1.5k everytime I do this?

I doubt its a virus. I have updated McAfee virus protection software running everytime a boot which is about evey other day.

[Vaughan]

So let's call "open the file, enter layout mode, return to browse mode, close the file" one cycle.

After the first cycle the file is 1.5k bigger. If you perfrom another cycle is the file now 3K bigger? Does it keep getting bigger if more cycles are performed?

Does Win98 have some sort if automatic file compression scheme? Maybe the files are compressed in idle time when they aren't being used, then uncompressed when they are opened.

Check to see if the size increase occurs if you open the file but *don't* change to layout mode.

[charper]

Problem solved. It appears to be caused by the IsEmpty function. Perhaps its the way I'm using it - I don't know. See my other post beneath this one for script details. Thanks.