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FileMaker 7 and 8 have three methods for optimizing files. The Save A Copy As feature is available in FileMaker Pro, Developer and Advanced. This feature allows you to save a compacted copy but not like WinZip or Stuffit. A compacted copy is a duplication of the file compacted and optimized. FileMaker stores data in blocks and, when information is deleted, those blocks may become partially full. Compacting a file merges partial blocks, so there are fewer and fuller blocks -- thus creating a smaller file. Optimizing a file is a lot like optimizing your hard drive. Blocks are swapped so that data in records are grouped together. Scripts, Fields and other areas of FileMaker are also optimized to increase performance by allowing similar data to be accessed sequentially. The File Maintenance feature in FileMaker Developer 7 and FileMaker 8 Advanced simply splits these two tasks into separate features. The big difference is that the File Maintenance feature works on the current file, so you don't have to swap out the old copy for the new one.
Quick Tip
