Re: RSS memory on HP

In a previous article, tuc_at_lsupoz.apana.org.au (Scott Ellentuch) says:

> During a session of "runform30x", we use glance to monitor the RSS
>of the process. It seems that the RSS constantly grows as the application
>is used. During the details, it seems its the DATA area. We were wondering
>if there is anything we can do about this.

   When you execute a query and then move down through the records in the block, Forms buffers all of the fetched records. Read enough records and it becomes a real memory hog. You may alleviate this somewhat by making sure that the size of each record is no greater than it has to be. Check the "Maximum Width" of every field to make sure it is no bigger than the length of the database column. Be especially cautious when querying LONG columns. You also want to design your form so that your users will not need to fetch large numbers of rows at a time.

> Why isn't it releasing?

  On most versions of Unix that I have seen, once a program allocates memory from the OS it hangs on to it until the process terminates. Forms will free the memory from a block buffer when the block is cleared making it available for use by other blocks. But it is not returned to the OS.

• Doug Harris Database Administrator, System Development Division, Statistics Canada ## Standard Disclaimer Applies ##

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