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Database Stamps
In this section
What are Database Stamps
Database Stamps
are embedded records of the most recent dates, times and activities related to a database.
Unlike Data Location Records, Database Stamps are embedded into the actual database, making the information transportable across computers.
There are three stamps in each database:
- The Creation Stamp
- The Backup stamp
- The Restore stamp
The elements of each Database Stamp are:
- date and time
- a textual memo
- Volume Serial Number
About Database Stamps
These records are held in fields in a special table in the database.
Unlike Data Location Records (which reside on one computer) they travel with the
actual database and their embedded information can be displayed on any computer.
Best explained by example:
You do a backup from Computer #1 to a
removable device (e.g. Flash Disk, External Drive)
You remove the device and attach it to Computer #2.
On Computer #2, you use the Ideas Genie program Open - GA626 and click the Find a New database
button
Screenshot
In screen GA681S03, after you click the Get a Folder
button and select the database on the removable device, the program displays the Database Stamp record(s)
Screenshot
Note
that you do NOT have to add a Data Location Record to view the stamp details.
The program has opened the database and showed you its stamps - clearly indicates
the origin of the database. You may search again without completing the Data Location Record.
On Computer #2, proceed to add a Data Location Record for the database, and continue with the
Open another Database operation.
Viewing Database Stamps
Database stamps can be displayed by starting the program
Open another Database- GA626, selecting a database using the DLR pop-up, then clicking the More button.
Database stamps created during a Backup operation
Explained by looking at the backup operation for the above example.
i.e.
doing a backup of a database on Computer #1 to a removable disk
The Database stamps in the Backup FROM database and the Backup TO database are shown in this
Double Screenshot
Database stamps created during a Restore operation
Explained by an example of Restoring the database on the removable disc (above) to its original location on Computer #1.
Restore the database using the
program Restore - GA693
Screenshot
After
using the Restore program the Database stamps in the Restore FROM database and the Restore TO database are shown in this
Double Screenshot
Database stamps created during the Create a New database operation
The program Create a New database - GA696 is used when you wish to manage another independent database, keeping the data completely separate from the installation database.
The file structure for a New database is always copied from the Core database.
After creating a new database with the program the database stamp in the New database is similar to this:-
Screenshot
This program does NOT write a database stamp to the Core database.
The database stamp is written (stamped) into the
new database.
History records using Data Location Records are created as normal.
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