Purging Distributions
As you use your Counterpoint SQL system, you will accumulate data. Sales history, purchasing, and receiving, all of the history is accumulated, and these tables can grow to be quite large.
One table that can grow very fast, is the distributions table. Everything that is posted will create distributions. Depending on the settings used, it can be many records for a single posting. In a short time, this can build into thousands, or millions, of records. Moreover, most people do not need most of the data in this table. If your interface to another accounting system, once the distributions are sent to that other system, one really has no need for them in Counterpoint. Also, many do not use the accounting function, either within Counterpoint, or interfaced to another accounting system. In that case, those records are never used and are just taking up space.
Fortunately, distributions are one of the areas that Counterpoint has a purge function. From the main menu, it is under System -> Accounting -> Utilities -> Purge Distributions. Under the event tab, select the Post Date range that you want to purge. You may have to use the customize function to find the post date option. Make sure that you select a range that will leave any records that you may want. In a lot of cases, leaving 30 days of distributions is appropriate. However, that will vary, depending on your use of these records, and your needs. You may be able to purge all records (for example, if you do not use any of the distribution information within Counterpoint).
Once you have selected the purge range and selected the purge option, you will get a report of the records that will be purged. Also, you will be asked for confirmation that you actually wish to purge the records. Once you confirm that you want to purge, the records will be removed. This can take several minutes, depending on how many records you are purging at a time. That is all there is to it.
Dave.