Re: How to get fast random access to a large file?

This sounds like you might want to look at a database. You could have a table that looked something like:

Column	Type
ID	INT
Instruction	VARCHAR
Next	INT

So, editing the files isn't going to be an issue because you have a linked list of instructions. Pulling the list of instructions out is going to be a little more annoying, but you shouldn't have to do that very often.

Of course, this is just a first-pass at the problem. A few more discussions and we can have a better schema for you.

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Comment on Re: How to get fast random access to a large file?

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Re^2: How to get fast random access to a large file? by gothic_mallard (Pilgrim) on Oct 29, 2004 at 12:56 UTC
I really need to leave the files in-situ and I'm stuck with the format I've got unfortuantly. I also can't guarantee that everyone using the utility that will come from this development will have access to a database (I don't have control over that sort of thing here and they're tight enough about access - most people's machine's here don't even let them change the desktop wallpaper let alone have a connection to one of the database servers...) --- Jay All code is untested unless otherwise stated. All opinions expressed are my own and are intended as guidance, not gospel; please treat what I say as such and as Abigail said Think for yourself. If in doubt ask.	[reply]

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Re^2: How to get fast random access to a large file?
by gothic_mallard (Pilgrim) on Oct 29, 2004 at 12:56 UTC

I really need to leave the files in-situ and I'm stuck with the format I've got unfortuantly. I also can't guarantee that everyone using the utility that will come from this development will have access to a database (I don't have control over that sort of thing here and they're tight enough about access - most people's machine's here don't even let them change the desktop wallpaper let alone have a connection to one of the database servers...)

--- Jay

All code is untested unless otherwise stated.
All opinions expressed are my own and are intended as guidance, not gospel; please treat what I say as such and as Abigail said Think for yourself.
If in doubt ask.

[reply]