User's Manual

BrailleNote Apex QT User Guide
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18.7 Database File Management.
A KeyBase database consists of two files. The KeyBase Definition File, which contains the field
names and other information that defines the database, and the database itself that contains the data.
Normally both these files have the same base name, but different endings or extensions. The
KeyBase Definition File has a .kbs extension and the database file a .cdb extension. When you use
the File Manager, you will not be able to read the .kbs extension when a KeyBase Definition File
name is displayed. If you need to find out if a file has a .cdb or .kbs extension, press READ with I.
Because the KeyBase Definition File and the .cdb file form a pair, KeySoft‟s File Manager takes
both files into account when you operate on a KeyBase Definition File.
When you copy a KeyBase Definition File, both the definition file and the database are copied. This
is very useful for back-up purposes.
When you erase a KeyBase Definition File, KeySoft prompts:
“This KeyBase definition file has an associated database called (associated database name)
. Erase the definition file only, the database only, or both?”.
To erase only the KeyBase Definition File, press F. To erase the database (.cdb) file only, press D.
To erase both the KeyBase Definition File and the database (.cdb) file, press B.
Before erasing a database (.cdb) file, you will receive another warning. It is possible for a .cdb file
to be associated with more than one KeyBase Definition File and you are warned of this before a
.cdb file is erased.
Similarly, when you rename a KeyBase Definition File, KeySoft also prompts to see if you want to
erase only the definition file, only the database, or both files.
18.7.1 Free Database Space.
One of the peculiarities of databases is that when you delete items from them, they may not
automatically shrink back down again. Because of this, simply deleting your unwanted records does
not always free up more disk space. The "Free database space" software shrinks the database
back to the smallest size capable of storing the records remaining in the database.
To use this utility, simply go to the KeyBase menu, and select the item: "Free database space".
After running, the utility will report how much space, if any, has been freed.
End of Database Manager chapter.