Database gets smaller after a new add-on has been added

[fredrikse]

Hi,

I discovered a strange thing when I was installing a new add-on earlier to night. The database size before installation was 31.351.717 bytes. After the add-on had been installed the new database size is 30.865.285 bytes. How is that possible?

 

[vVv]

I noticed mine got a little smaller lately as well. Didn't really add more add-ons though, but went from 10MB to 9.9MB... Which add-on was it? lol

 

[fredrikse]

Everything is probably in order. But the add-on I installed was http://xenforo.com/community/resources/member-card-view-permissions.1193/

I'm just curious to know what's happening there behind the scene.

 

[vVv]

ah, i don't have that one installed... not sure what's going on either.. >_> hopefully someone else can shed some light on it lol

 

[ManOnDaMoon]

Databases have index data that take more or less space depending on your usage and if you add/delete large chunk of data.
Also, InnoDB tables in MySQL that are altered (e.g. during an add-on installation) are automatically optimized and space can be freed and retrieved at this time.

For InnoDB tables, OPTIMIZE TABLE is mapped to ALTER TABLE, which rebuilds the table to update index statistics and free unused space in the clustered index.

 

[Chris D]

Everything is probably in order. But the add-on I installed was http://xenforo.com/community/resources/member-card-view-permissions.1193/

I'm just curious to know what's happening there behind the scene.

That add-on doesn't alter the database. But of course there is the Rebuilding Caches stage that I imagine is the cause of this. And most likely it is for the reasons stated by ManOnDaMoon.

 

[vVv]

thanks for clarification guys.. maybe me run Optimize feature/option more often too? lol