Indirect Fields questions

[tony.malandain]

Hi,

I'm trying to evaluate if I should use an indirect field to reference binary files or simply add them to Texis and let the RDBMS manage them.
More specifically:
How is made the connection between the DB record and the file? Is Texis simply memorizing the path to the file or is it more complex?
If Texis is using something else that the file path, then will defragmenting the hard drive (windows platform) break the connection?

Also, performance-wise, which one is the more advisable, knowing that in 90% of time, I will access it using a simple query such as select File from Table where FileID=X

and last question, what I delete the record, the file will be delete as well? What happen if the file gets accidently deleted?

Thanks,
/Tony.

[John]

With the indirect field it stores the path to the file. Defragmenting has no impact. If you do not need the file contents most of the time keeping them as indirects is best. If you frequently refer to the contents of the files a varchar field in Texis will help, as there is less directory look up overhead. When you delete a record Texis will remove files that it created, but not ones that you just passed the file name in. Deleting the file will only be noticed when you try and access the contents of the file.