Recently, I came across a fine example of why you should not be lazy in designing your database structure.
A popular dataset in the UK, containing 1.7 million point records is now available in GeoPackage format. I downloaded and saved it as a MapInfo table but a little shocked that the data file came to 3.7Gb. On investigation, all the alphanumeric fields had been set to 254 characters. The main identifying feature is only 8 characters width and the others no longer than 9 characters.
After editing the data structure, the data file dropped drastically to 166Mb - that's a difference of 3.5Gb of fresh air filling my hard disc!!! 😮
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John Ievers
CDR Group Limited
Hope Valley, United Kingdom
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