Evan,
If you look at the date/time stamps on the DBC you'll see it only changes when YOU change it. That means it's easy to replace it if it becomes corrupted. Actually it's MUCH easier than a data table.

Barbara

>Thanks for the great advice.
>
>>I have two approaches.
>>
>>1. IF the DBC is stable and not going to change I include it in the EXE. I've done this on two projects and they never had a problem.
>>
>>2. If (1) isn't appropriate I first try to overwrite the DBC with a good copy. I always keep "Before and After" ZIP files of the DBC/DCT/DCX files when making a DBC change. This would be in addition to your hospital-run backup. Finally I USE the DBC as a table, PACK it and then see if I can pick out any obvious problems visually.
>>
>>After that, it's pray that the SysAdmin did his/her job correctly. My last contract backs up regularly on tape - but has never been able to restore a single file. We did our own data backups to CDs weekly.
>>
>>HTH
>>Barbara
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>What is recommended for quickly repairing a database container that has become corrupt? Granted, this has only happened to me twice in 4 years, it still is a mad panic.
>>>
>>>What I do if I can't validate a database or seem to repair it:
>>>
>>>1) Free all tables
>>>2) Delete database container
>>>3) Create a new database container
>>>4) Add tables back into database
>>>5) Recreate views (done visually)
>>>6) Add in stored procedures
>>>7) Lengthen any long field names that have been shortened.
>>>
>>>Is there a faster way to do this? Can take 30 minutes to an hour to do all of this. Restoring the database container from a tape backup might take 2 to 3 hours since backups are done centrally at the hospital. By the time the Help Desk calls and analyst and they find the tape...
>>>
>>>What does everyone else do to speed up the repair/recreate process?