Introduction
When you use Microsoft Access database, you may have noticed that file size always keeps growing and you can never decrease the size. Even if you delete some entries and tables, the size remains the size or sometimes grows despite the deletion. You then need to compact your database. Using the compact utility, the file size decreases to a large extent.
Background
Microsoft Access database creates this situation when you use an open connection very frequently or open the connection several times to communicate with the database. The very definite reason of size increasing is that your database is really of large size and is increasing. All three situations can be handled using the compact utility. In my previous article, I describe how to create and populate a Microsoft Access file. While doing this, I came to know that the file size is really so large and used the compact feature to reduce the size. It was an amazingly big difference, so then I decided to compact that automatically.
Requirements
For the development of this utility, you need to add a reference to the DOA Library. DOA library provides the functionality to compact the database. One more thing that may be interesting is the database file that you want to compact should be of large size, otherwise you will not feel the effect.
Code
VB
Imports System.IO
Module Module1
Sub Main()
Try
Dim File_Path, compact_file As String
File_Path = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory & "db.mdb"
compact_file = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory & "db1.mdb"
If File.Exists(File_Path) Then
Dim db As New DAO.DBEngine()
db.CompactDatabase(File_Path, compact_file)
End If
If File.Exists(compact_file) Then
File.Delete(File_Path)
File.Move(compact_file, File_Path)
End If
Catch ex As Exception
MsgBox(ex.Message)
End Try
End Sub
End Module
C#
using System.IO;
struct Module1
{
void Main()
{
try {
string File_Path;
string compact_file;
File_Path = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory + "db.mdb";
compact_file = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory + "db1.mdb";
if (File.Exists(File_Path)) {
DAO.DBEngine db = new DAO.DBEngine();
db.CompactDatabase(File_Path, compact_file);
}
if (File.Exists(compact_file)) {
File.Delete(File_Path);
File.Move(compact_file, File_Path);
}
} catch (Exception ex) {
MsgBox(ex.Message);
}
}
}
Points of Interest
Using this utility, you can schedule a job to compact your database. But remember to schedule this at some specific time when you feel the database may not be in use as this compact utility deletes the original file and restores it with the compact one.
Summary
To use this utility, you do not need to do it yourself. Rather, you only need to schedule a job and relax. Happy programming.
History
- 9th June, 2006: Initial post
I am working as Manager Enterprise Services where key responsibilities are to support end users on their day to day IT related issues.
The other function I am responsible is IT IPCC Services Support Since September 2013 and my key responsibilities are to maintain IPCC Uptime along with end users support at both CMPak call centers. IPCC enhancements and new feature development is also part of my job role.
The third area that was handed over to me in March 2015 is in-house apps support, where key responsibility is to provide support for all the application developed by IT department and to maintain the availability of these applications.
Previously I was working as Manager Automation & Planning and this is my key area of expertise. My responsibilities were to manage team in Project Planning, System Analysis, Requirements gathering, Preparation of SRS, Presentations to client about the requirements, getting Approvals on SRS from the Client, Database Design, Development Tracking, System Deployments, end user Feedback along with Change Management.
Planning and Defining Scope, Resource Planning, Time Estimating, Creating Charts and Schedules, Risk Analysis
Managing Risks and Issues, Monitoring and Reporting Progress, Team Leadership, Working with Vendors, Scalability were the key area of working along with an efficient problem-solver in professional way with envisions business and technical perspectives to develop workable solutions.
I started my career as developer in 2004 and promoted as team lead IT Automation in 2007 and then as manager so I spend 7 years in Software Development & Project Planning.