SuperMemo terribly slow

Question

From: Petr N, Czech Republic Sent: Jun 09, 2007, 00:59:33 Subject: Supermemo ideas once more

Oh, I forgot one major idea: I have never seen such a slow program like Supermemo. I'm upgrading now and Supermemo is converting files from 2004 to 2006 version. I have only few not so big collections and converting lasts 2 hours yet and no end... unbelievable !!!!! Absolutly TERRIBLE !!! Don't you think rework supermemo with the assistence of any professional programmers company ????

S pozdravem

Answer

This question is answered here: http://www.supermemo.com/help/faq/tech.htm

Most file operations that determine the speed of SuperMemo are low-level operations. At the lowest level operations cannot be made any faster due to the limitations of the speed of the hard disk and the operating system. Those operations that are used daily are of particular concern and are usually executed faster than in comparable applications (e.g. low-level search of a 5 gigabyte collection in just 3 seconds).

Upgrades may be slower. They are a bit like disk defragmentation: lots of operations to execute. Some operations are executed at a higher level. Some operations are slowed by a large number of picture and HTML files that make up a typical collection. As a rule: complex processes, which are used rarely may execute slower for the sake for reliability. Those processes that are used daily are well optimized for speed within the limitations of the platform, design and legacy solutions.