>I use the following FN to load a data file. It loads very quickly (a few
>seconds) on the local HD but across a small network (100Mb/s) it takes
>upwards of a minute. It can't be the network as other programs work
>quite quickly. The data file size approx 600K.
>
>If multiple users try to access the same file it is even slower?
>
>Martin
>
>LOCAL FN loadsubject
>  SELECT subject
>    CASE 1                                        '2 Unit Ancient
>History"
>      n$ = "2UAH"
>      res$ = "2UAH.rsrc"
>    CASE 2                                        '2 Unit Biology"
>      n$ = "2UBIO"
>      res$ = "2UBIO.rsrc"
>  END SELECT
>
>  LONG IF LEN(n$)
>    OPEN "I",#1,n$,,subjectsVRefNum%
>    LINE INPUT #1,a$
>    ea = VAL(a$)                                        'total questions
>in subject
>    FOR aa = 1 TO ea
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      qtopic(aa)= VAL(a$)
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>        qnum(aa)= VAL(a$)
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      'question$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      qtype$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      qreason(aa)= VAL(a$)
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      qpic$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      qt$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      aat$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      o1t$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      o2t$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      o3t$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      rt$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      rt2$(aa) = a$
>      LINE INPUT #1,a$
>      rt3$(aa) = a$
>    NEXT aa
>    CLOSE #1
>  END IF
>End FN

for such purpose, I use READ FILE# which is the faster way because it
implies the minimum number of access to the disk.
to make so
open your file
get its size using lof
ask MM for a block of that size, (lock it if you access to it by a handle)
read the entire file to the block
close the file
Now your whole data is in memory so retrieve your lines by searching
chr$(13) iteratively within the block (FN MUNGER is handy for that task)
blockmove each line into your vars and poke the length in the first byte of
the var

when finished don't forget to dispose of the block

Try this method, it may be hundred times quicker and munch safer and quiet
for the net traffic. If you need examples ask me privately

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