Question

I want to export our entire database.  Are there best practices or other considerations?

Answer

TIMING: Depends on the size of your database.  Try exporting a reasonably sized subset of records and analyze the time it takes, apply those results to total number of records.

SPACE: For very large databases, exporting in several ranges of record IDs is recommended (i.e., -mR -tNNNN-NNNN (where NNNN is the bib_id; for example -t1-20000 would export bib_ids 1-20000). As with timing, export X number of records will allow estimate of how large files will be for total number of records.

BEST PRACTICES: For large jobs consider running during non-peak hours.  Keep an eye on your available diskspace so you do not run out of space.

Additional Information

See the  Technical User's Guide for a full explanation of the Bulk Export of MARC records.

• Article last edited: 19-Sep-2019