I would store the strings end-to-end (null terminated) and then 'walk' the list to find a given string. You can start by allocating a record of the maximum size and then resize it down once the actual strings are written. Regarding compression, you will typically get a lot better compression if you compress the whole record instead of individual strings. A technique I've used a couple of times is to place the record 'name' as an uncompressed string at the beginning of the record, followed by a compressed block of data that contains the rest of the record. This gives a very fast list view and a slight pause when you select a record for display. Good luck, -jjf -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2000 6:04 AM To: Palm Developer Forum Subject: Variable Length Recs and compression - Seeking for some advice Hello All, Due to a huge amount of data records I plan to download into a pilot DB I'm seeking for the best approach of storing my data efficiently (verry efficiently...) My records now do have many fields such like Char Descr [255] Char Msg [30] Char Name [55] and so on whereby I often use much less than the defined number of chars - so I know I waste a lot of space. I wonder if it is possible to change my record layout to actualy point to a string DB that holds variable length records containing these strings. Is this possible (varible lengths records). Anybody out there who can give some ideas or advices on the best approach on this problem ? I also think of compressing the individual strings with a little zip-routine (or any other compression algorithm) or something similar so that I only "unpack" the strings I actualy need. String-packing might reduce my record size by 50% or above - I think. I wonder if somebody out there has already done something similar and would like to share his/her ideas and source snippets. Any ideas, advices or pointers to further material that might help is greatly appreciated. The data I need in my pilot is > 24 MB .... and I want this in a 8MB Pilot Vx.... I think it is possible if I a) can make variable lengths records (avarage amount of men = 50% of fixed Char fields) so I'm down to 12 MB b) Compression with a ratio 50% or above will reduce down to 6 MB or so I have sleepless nights with this so I'm realy seeking information and possibilities. Thanks a lot in advance Ole -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palm.com/devzone/mailinglists.html -- For information on using the Palm Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palm.com/devzone/mailinglists.html
