How to reduce size of zen-cart backup file?

[adi2009]

Hi,

for admins: I wasn't sure where exactly to place this topic, in case it's not in right section, please move it in other section - no problem

Here is the problem: I have in my zen-cart shop: in my database I have about cca 5000 articles witch sure isn't small amount of data and I also have many categories and subcategories. When I make regular backups from phpMyAdmin using Export option (Export tab), size of backup file is about 5MB large cca (SQL file) in last few months.

My question is this: is it possible to reduce size of this file by changing or disabling some unused options in zen-cart admin/configuration? For example, in my case:

- I don't use any online paymant system like paypal or similar and my shop is basically only used for ordering products (paymant is realized using bank account and delivery of products on buyers address is directly by car),
- I am not using option options like reviews, gift voucher's, coupons, specials etc.

What I am trying to say is that I only use basic options of zen-cart and perhaps that could be one way to reduce size of exported SQL file

Any help is appreciated and many thank in advance for promt replays!

Cheers

[swguy]

Be sure to trim your admin activity log using admin->tools->store manager->empty activity log.
If you are archiving email, you can use the email archive manager contribution to trim this as well.

[adi2009]

@swguy

Thanks a lot for quick reply

Regarding admin activity log I try to clean it more often, as much I can. As for archiving email I dont use that option so I can't save much space on that

Is there any other way also to reduce size of exported file? Since admin activity log is not really important in my case is it perhaps possible to disable that option completely?

[gjh42]

If you empty the log before backup, there will be next to nothing in that table. Likewise, the features you don't use will have very little data in their tables, so not much opportunity for savings.

[saitomedia]

This might help as if I get you correctly, that you are trying to reduce your database size for the sake of phpmyadmin.

http://www.webdevelopment2.com/impor...n-get-bigdump/

It talks about how you can handle a large database files.

I'm I'm wrong, I apologize.

[saitomedia]

Best way to handle a large database is to use SSH to backup/restore.

[adi2009]

If you empty the log before backup, there will be next to nothing in that table. Likewise, the features you don't use will have very little data in their tables, so not much opportunity for savings.

OK I understand, so I can't save any space by disabling some options which I don't use beacuse that tables are zero or small amount of data

Thank you very much for useful advice/help as always

This might help as if I get you correctly, that you are trying to reduce your database size for the sake of phpmyadmin.

http://www.webdevelopment2.com/impor...n-get-bigdump/

It talks about how you can handle a large database files.

I'm I'm wrong, I apologize.

Thanks a lot for these useful links, I will follow/read these file and post it here if I manage to reduce size of my export file from phpMyAdmin

[saitomedia]

You never mentioned *why* you wanted to reduce the size of the database

I'm sure you'll get much better answers from the Zen Cart community if you state your reasons for attempting to reduce the size of your database!

Let all of us know if you are stuck along the way. In the meantime, good luck!

[gjh42]

I believe he posted elsewhere that the size of the download/upload file of the backup was causing problems.

[saitomedia]

I believe he posted elsewhere that the size of the download/upload file of the backup was causing problems.

Poor thing sounds like s/he is still in need of help.

Nice catch Glen as always, and respectfully.

Adi, please don't cross-post, and let the community
know why you want to reduce your database file size.