Maximum number of books?

[Syllius]

BetterRed, thank you so much! Today is another level closer to the core and I'm excited to see what's possible. Everybody here is so helpful. It's absolutely refreshing to be in a social setting that still believes in constructive communication. I was curious about how Calibre creates the temp file. Is it done for the active library or for all libraries available? I'm trying to preemptively anticipate growth and create a stable structure. Any resources you can direct me to with regards to this would be most helpful. Thank you again so much for the support!

[BetterRed]

@Syllius - Calibre will create temporary files in many processes, some that spring to mind are Adding, Conversion, Editing and Viewing non-ePub Books. Some plugins also create temporary files - e.g. GetFileName.

When calibre starts it creates a sub directory named calibre_XXXXXX in the default/designated Temp location where XXXXXX is a random string. AFAIK all operations use that location to store temporary files.

FX: I have CALIBRE_TEMP_DIR set to C:\_AppData\Calibre\Temp\, right now I see a session sub-directory named calibre_prnxwn. Under normal conditions the session sub-folder is removed when calibre terminates, occasionally it's left behind - sometimes empty.

BR

[giannib]

I have atround 80k books divided in a dozen library, by argument.
Could be a good idea join them together and select argument by tag?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by giannib

I have atround 80k books divided in a dozen library, by argument.
Could be a good idea join them together and select argument by tag?

That depends on your system. If it's 32-bit then no. If it's 64-bit with at least 16GB ram and a decent processor then yes.

[Quoth]

It might work on 32 bits, but 32 bit is now poorly supported. Some library software on 8 bit CP/M was limited to 64K (approx) book records. Not actual ebooks. Just the library. Some 16 bit DOS software had a limit of about 16 Million book / video records.

It's more certain conversions and processing that has issues on x86 32 bit CPUs. Some applications on some OS on x86 with Mobos that have PAE can use more than 4G RAM on the OS. MS removed that from Windows 32 bit after NT4.0 Enterprise and by default even on 4 G RAM only allowed 2G per application.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

It might work on 32 bits, but 32 bit is now poorly supported. Some library software on 8 bit CP/M was limited to 64K (approx) book records. Not actual ebooks. Just the library. Some 16 bit DOS software had a limit of about 16 Million book / video records.

It's more certain conversions and processing that has issues on x86 32 bit CPUs. Some applications on some OS on x86 with Mobos that have PAE can use more than 4G RAM on the OS. MS removed that from Windows 32 bit after NT4.0 Enterprise and by default even on 4 G RAM only allowed 2G per application.

The problem is that if you run Windows 32-bit you are limited to a 3GB memory space no matter how much RAM the computer has. On a computer with 4GB is't not that bad, but on a computer with 8GB or more, it can be that bad especially with a program such as Calibre. We've seen many posts about out of memory errors due to running a 32-bit version under Windows. Som were a 32-version under a 64-bit Windows and some were a 32-bit version under a 32-bit Windows. If the computer being used cannot run a 64-bit Windows, then it needs to be upgraded or replaced.

[ownedbycats]

Unless things have changed and I missed it, Calibre 6 is going to drop 32-bit mode anyways.

[Quoth]

QT6 has no 32 bit support. Calibre 6 uses QT6, so no 32 bit version.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The problem is that if you run Windows 32-bit you are limited to a 3GB memory space no matter how much RAM the computer has. On a computer with 4GB is't not that bad, but on a computer with 8GB or more, it can be that bad especially with a program such as Calibre.

On XP 32 bit it's 2 G byte by default, but you can edit boot.ini to have 3.5 GByte. It's an artificial limit, partly Intel and partly MS (may have been to encourage move to Itaniaum which had a 64 bit XP pro).
Linux 32 bit still supports PAE like NT 4.0 Enterprise did, so if the PC HW has PAE, then the limit is simply the amount of RAM, often up to 16 Gbyte. Linux Mint 19.3 32 bit is still supported, but all later versions are 64 bits only.

Many 64 bit Atom based PCs/Laptops are junk. Some can't run 64 bit Windows at all and some 64 bit Intel Atom CPUs physically don't have the pins for more than 2G of RAM or 4G of RAM. Deliberately crippled design.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_...t_architecture

Here is 64bit Atom that can only address 2G RAM
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us...-1-92-ghz.html

So MS has or had a 32bit Windows 10 for 64 bit Atom Tablets that either can't run 64 bit windows at all, or the 2G or 4G is too little. A 64 bit Debian Linux ran fine on such an Atom tablet, but the EFI bootloader had to be 32 bit!

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If the computer being used cannot run a 64-bit Windows, then it needs to be upgraded or replaced.

Or 64 bit Mac OS or 64 bit Linux.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

...
If the computer being used cannot run a 64-bit Windows, then it needs to be upgraded or replaced.

Not everyone has the Mean$ (or knowledge) to do hardware 'upgrade$'.

Then there is the Know how issue how to transfer your OLD systems User files (inc pictures and mail) to the new system. Lastly, there are WORKING accessories that no longer are 'supported' (or lost a feature that was being used.)

Lastly, there is the lack of mental agility needed to deal with the new UI or security model.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by theducks

Lastly, there are WORKING accessories that no longer are 'supported' (or lost a feature that was being used.)

My 2002 XP Laptop was replaced in 2016:
Lost Firewire for my digital camcorder
Lost PCMCIA slot (SCSI card used for scanner).
Lost PAL/NTSC S-Video/Composite port (which I used).
Lost PS/2 port (which worked with splitter if external KB needed as well as mouse)
New laptop less good for PDFs, 1080 pixels high vs 1200 pixels high (Now I use a 4K 28" external screen).
Lost built-in DVD/CD writer. Had to buy external USB model.
USB Web cam not supported on Linux or Windows 10. The built in one on new screen no use when using external screen, needed for PDFs. Bought Trust Webcam (works Win7, 10 and Linux).
Transferring email wasn't simple.
Needed VM with XP on Win7 OR Linux to keep old Windows Engineering SW.
Lost built in floppy drive and a USB one won't work with CP/M or other emulators, only native windows FS. So have a Linux tower PC with floppies on real floppy controller, maybe last MoBo with such. Newer Mobo has no IDE ports.
No parallel or serial ports. Fortunately the USB serial adaptor and USB Parallel adaptors I then bought work with Linux, WINE and XP on the VMs (I have several VMs).

Eventually found MS tool to clone old Laptop to a VM file which works on Linux (intended for XP, 2003, Vista & Win7 support on Windows 10).
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sys...loads/disk2vhd
It has 3 check boxes, not 2 and "Volume Shadow" stuff didn't work. Just made sure no apps, AV or unwanted services running. Had to save to a USB HDD as my server no longer allows XP or earlier clients.

Even if you buy a new computer any change needs expertise and time. It helps if you know about backups and where "stuff" lives on disk.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by theducks

Not everyone has the Mean$ (or knowledge) to do hardware 'upgrade$'.

Then there is the Know how issue how to transfer your OLD systems User files (inc pictures and mail) to the new system. Lastly, there are WORKING accessories that no longer are 'supported' (or lost a feature that was being used.)

Lastly, there is the lack of mental agility needed to deal with the new UI or security model.

But someday you'll need to do this because you will need a new computer because the old one is no longer suitable (or the old computer craps out). I had to deal when my previous laptop crapped out. The hard drive works perfectly well so if I need anything from it, I have a USB cable that plugs the HD into the new laptop via USB-A or USB-C.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But someday you'll need to do this because you will need a new computer because the old one is no longer suitable (or the old computer craps out). I had to deal when my previous laptop crapped out. The hard drive works perfectly well so if I need anything from it, I have a USB cable that plugs the HD into the new laptop via USB-A or USB-C.

I'm sure you'll be happy to provide them with new computer, then.