THE ALCHEMY DATABASE ARCHITECTURE is a unique flat-file object database structure that is at the heart of Alchemy. The Alchemy architecture is more efficient with smaller overhead and is easier to maintain when compared to a relational database. The database structures are optimized for full-text operations and the integration of document properties and metadata. Alchemy’s unique architecture allows the read-only database index files, the data containers and the Search program to be located anywhere on a network, or packaged all together on an archival disc.
Creating a New Alchemy Database
![](http://solutionbench.com/sb/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/creating-a-new-alchemy-database.png)
Using an Administrator’s License select File > New Database.
Defining the New Database
![](http://solutionbench.com/sb/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/defining-the-new-database-1.png)
Choose the Definition tab.
Title: Type a database title, which appears in the Tree View pane when the database is open. This is an 80 character alpha-numeric field.
File name: Type a file name for the database. Do not enter a file extension. If you do not want to store the database in the Alchemy program file folder, type the complete path to the alternate lo-cation.
Database file names plus the file extension can contain up to 64 characters with the exception of the following special characters; asterisk *’, forward slash /’, colon :’, semi-colon ;’, question mark ?’, and backward slash \’ acheter cialis 20mg en pharmacie. Path
names can contain up to 8 nested directories in the path. When you type a path that includes a folder that does not already exist, Alchemy automatically creates the folder. For example, when you type C:\my databases\my really
important databases\first, Alchemy creates any folder or subfolder that does not already exist, adds the extension ALD (Alchemy database Definition) to the file name first, and creates and adds all associated database files to this
location.
Select OK
CAUTION: To avoid possible problems in an ACMS environment, use the UNC path format when typing a path for the new database.
Note: Once created, database file names cannot be changed. If necessary, however, you can de-lete a database and recreate it.
Options for the New Database
![](http://solutionbench.com/sb/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/options-for-the-new-database-1.png)
Buffer size: The size of the buffer determines how much data is written to the build destination. For maximum efficiency, set the buffer as large as possible to minimize the number of times Alchemy has to merge indexes, and thus minimize the time it takes to build the database. However, you cannot select a buffer size larger than 1.8 GB. Although you set a limit on the buffer size, the buffer will exceed its limit to accommodate the last file added. In other words, Alchemy does not stop copying if the buffer size is exceeded in the middle of a file. For example, if your buffer size is set to 80 MB, and at 79 MB Alchemy begins to copy a 20 MB file, the buffer size temporarily enlarges to 100 MB to accommodate the last file.
For CD recording, if a large buffer size between 500 and 600 MB is not possible, then the ideal buffer size to get as many tracks on a single CD as possible would be numbers that go evenly into 650, the space on a CD (e.g., 95 MB, 190 MB, or 285 MB). When using a 74 min. 650 MB CD-ROM, to ensure that there is enough space for the index files and search program, do not set the buffer more than 600 MB minus the size of the largest file in your database.
Copy files to data containers: Select this option to create a database that contains a copy of each file added to the database. Select this option and the options to copy indexes and the search program to create a self-contained database on disc from which any user can search and retrieve information. To save space on the build destination, do not select this option. If you do not select this option, the database is not a self-contained unit because it only contains pointers to its files. Users must have access to the original source files in order to search for, view, or retrieve information.
When you do not copy files to data containers and have no custom profile fields, then the buffer size is irrelevant (system profile data is stored in the database TOB file and not in the data container file). When you do copy files to data containers and the database contains custom profile fields, then a new profile data container file is created each time the designated buffer size is reached.
Compress data containers: Compression ratios are dependent on file type. Typical compression ratios are 2:1 for word processing and spreadsheet files, and up to 8:1 for ASCII text. Alchemy does not compress files that are already in a compressed format. Assuming an average compression rate of 50%, with Compress data containers selected, you will be able to store approximately twice as much data on disc.
Disable Retrieve: Select this check box to prevent Alchemy Search users from copying files, launching files in their native applications, or retrieving files.
Force Annotations: Select this check box to always display annotations. When you do not select this option, Alchemy Search users have the option to disable the viewing of annotations.
Disable Print: Select this check box to prevent Alchemy Search users from printing documents.
Select OK
Recent Comments