Space Usage

[Bob]

I need to export data out of an sql database using the SQLOLE object
in visual basic.
I have no idea how to even begin how to do this.

[Glenn Ray]

I've had the luxury of using MS SQL Server for years on servers that had plenty of space, so I never really had to worry about how much space the data was taking up. Now I'm in a different situation where I'm paying good money for SQL Server disk space and I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed that data in SQL Server uses a LOT more space than other databases like mySQL or even MS Access (shudder).

I recently exported data from a bulletin board previously running on mySQL, taking up about 4MB of space, to SQL Server 2000 and it balloons to about 26MB! Just for kicks I exported the data from SQL Server to MS Access 2000 and it results in a mdb file of only 1.3MB! I know there's a lot going on under the hood with SQL Server but that's an awfully big difference.

I'm not debating any issues of which db is better suited for what... I use SQL Server all the time on the job. However, I am disturbed by its apparent disregard of disk space when it comes to storing the data itself.

Does anybody else have issues with this?

[MAK]

You should also compare the functionality and features with other databases.
[for example no triggers,replication,DTS etc in access.]

Also check whether your .mdf file is bigger or .ldf file. U can always shrink the databases.

-MAK




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Glenn Ray at 5/27/2002 6:19:39 PM

I've had the luxury of using MS SQL Server for years on servers that had plenty of space, so I never really had to worry about how much space the data was taking up. Now I'm in a different situation where I'm paying good money for SQL Server disk space and I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed that data in SQL Server uses a LOT more space than other databases like mySQL or even MS Access (shudder).

I recently exported data from a bulletin board previously running on mySQL, taking up about 4MB of space, to SQL Server 2000 and it balloons to about 26MB! Just for kicks I exported the data from SQL Server to MS Access 2000 and it results in a mdb file of only 1.3MB! I know there's a lot going on under the hood with SQL Server but that's an awfully big difference.

I'm not debating any issues of which db is better suited for what... I use SQL Server all the time on the job. However, I am disturbed by its apparent disregard of disk space when it comes to storing the data itself.

Does anybody else have issues with this?

[Jobi]

- First of all use dbreindex to optimize your clustering index.
- use DBCC UPDATEUSAGE to let it calculate the right statistics.
- use sp_spaceused to show how mutch it is using
- if your concern is filesize, you could shrink your db-files after the previous steps.