The 2Gb limitation is in the DBF structure. DBFs and CDX could grow into Terabytes without problems. It's just that good old dBase has decided to set the maximum filesize to 2Gb (which was the max harddisk size at that time).
You may have heard about "Advantage Database Server", originally from Extended Systems, later on acquired by Sybase, later on acquired by SAP. That ADS server is based on DBFs as internal datastructure. They have two modes: VFP compatible (then you can add a true MultiTier Server on top of your existing DBC/DBF/CDX), and the extended version, which alters the DBF-header (and renames them to ADT) and is then limited at only disksize (or 2 billion records at 65k each = 6.55e+16 tablesize)
I once spoke with one of the developers of Extended Systems, why they stil use the DBF file structure. He told me that the VFP tables and indices are stil the fastest ISAM based structure, and together with their own SQL engine based on top of that (they also have their own Rushmore-like optimizer) they are stil faster than traditional better-known Dataservers. Unfortunately, MS prohibits publishing of speedtests in their license, but one should think why SAP has acquired them...
For more info: https://www.sap.com/products/advantage-database-server.html
wOOdy
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: ProFox profox-bounces@leafe.com Im Auftrag von MB Software Solutions, LLC Gesendet: Dienstag, 26. November 2019 19:31 An: profox@leafe.com Betreff: Re: So, about this VFPA thing...
On 11/26/2019 12:32 PM, Charlie Coleman wrote:
Technically, what VPA is doing is actually not intended by its owner, MS.
...which is why I was surprised M$ did nothing to stop it.
Anyway, it is definitely interesting enough that I plan on working with it. I would love larger DBF capacities too, but I will not quibble. The guy is doing some amazing stuff. I hope he reaps big rewards from it somehow.
Wait...does it allow the 2GB ceiling per file (DBF, CDX, FPT, etc.) to be lifted? I missed that if so. ???
[excessive quoting removed by server]