rename 'Compress Library' to 'Purge Library'

[hiccup]

Suggestion:
Rename 'Compress Library' to 'Purge Library'
Since 'compress' usually means 'make smaller without losing data', and 'purge' means something like 'remove/cleanse/purify', the latter seems much more appropriate and descriptive for this function.

[Mr. Trev]

I would suggest something like "clean" or "optimize" instead.

To me, "purge library" would suggest getting rid of everything completely

But that could just be me…

[hiccup]

To me, "purge library" would suggest getting rid of it completely

Wouldn't 'Delete Library' suggest that?
(a feature currently missing, that perhaps should be added)

I would suggest something like "clean" or "optimize" instead.

I appreciate the comment/suggestions.

Not being a native English speaker myself, the dictionaries I have looked at describe 'purge' something along the lines of 'removing unwanted elements from a body'.
So, the body remains intact, superfluous ballast is removed.
Which is exactly what this function does.

For your suggestions:
'clean' is vague, and could also easily be interpreted as 'remove library'
'optimise' indicates improving speed/performance. Which is not the purpose of this function.

I'm not getting warm and fuzzy feelings on these two suggestions.

[Mr. Trev]

To me, "purge library" would suggest getting rid of it completely

Wouldn't 'Delete Library' suggest that?
(a feature currently missing, that perhaps should be added)

I would suggest something like "clean" or "optimize" instead.

I appreciate the comment/suggestions.

Not being a native English speaker myself, the dictionaries I have looked at describe 'purge' something along the lines of 'removing unwanted elements from a body'.
So, the body remains intact, superfluous ballast is removed.
Which is exactly what this function does.

For your suggestions:
'clean' is vague, and could also easily be interpreted as 'remove library'
'optimise' indicates improving speed/performance. Which is not the purpose of this function.

I'm not getting warm and fuzzy feelings on these two suggestions.

Isn't the purpose of removing these entries to improve the performance of MB anyways (speeded up due to less bloat)? Really, if it isn't I don't see why it's even there to begin with

I suppose you could go with "purge orphaned entries", but that doesn't exactly roll-off the menu bar gracefully

Either way, I do agree that "compress" isn't a very accurate description"

[hiccup]

I suppose you could go with "purge orphaned entries", but that doesn't exactly roll-off the menu bar gracefully

I agree.
Here's a thought: perhaps shorten it by saying 'Purge'?

[Pickles7853]

Purge itself is vague.  It could refer to removing unwanted/ unused parts or deleting the entire DB itself.  Without further explanation it could be interpreted either way.  Delete would obviously not work.  Clean is better as it implies something left over when done.  TBH, I am OK with compress in this case.  In the context of databases, this is standard terminology and everyone knows what it means/ does.  If we were discussing something other than a DB I would be more open to the idea...

[Mr. Trev]

Purge itself is vague.  It could refer to removing unwanted/ unused parts or deleting the entire DB itself.  Without further explanation it could be interpreted either way.  Delete would obviously not work.  Clean is better as it implies something left over when done.  TBH, I am OK with compress in this case.  In the context of databases, this is standard terminology and everyone knows what it means/ does.  If we were discussing something other than a DB I would be more open to the idea...

This is my point. I would find "purge" alone to mean a complete ridding of data.

Debloat? Although, I admit I'm not a fan of the term in general

[hiccup]

I am OK with compress in this case.  In the context of databases, this is standard terminology and everyone knows what it means/ does.

Everyone?
Do you think all MusicBee users are database specialists?
I am not, and I'm pretty sure the average MusicBee user isn't.
So I don't think assumed database lingo is the best way to go here.

This is a about using wordings that make it as easy as possible for the average MusicBee user to explain and indicate what a function does.

I'm pretty sure most users will connect 'compress' to compressing tools such as .rar or .zip:
Reducing file size while keeping all data intact.
For a long time I have been assuming that that was what it did. And that's why I didn't care or bother using it.

But, I later found out that that is not what MusicBee's 'Compress Library' function does.
It is not compressing file sizes leaving all data intact, it is removing (purging) obsolete data.
(not that this function is described properly anywhere as far as I can tell)

removing, deleting, cleaning, scraping, getting rid-of, whatever.
Find me a better word for this than 'purge'?

edit:
Lazy me asking Grok what 'purging' means compared to Clearing, Deleting, Compressing:

4. Purging
Definition: Purging involves permanently and irreversibly removing data from a system, often for security, compliance, or cleanup purposes.
Context: Common in databases, backups, or systems requiring data sanitization (e.g., removing old records or sensitive data).

note the "Common in databases" and "removing old records" parts.
I feel pretty confident that I can rest my case by now.

[Mr. Trev]

I am OK with compress in this case.  In the context of databases, this is standard terminology and everyone knows what it means/ does.

removing, deleting, cleaning, scraping, getting rid-of, whatever.
Find me a better word for this than 'purge'?

I would find cleaning a better choice than purge.
I know you mentioned earlier that that also could be mis-interpreted to mean removing the library, but that'd be more likely to happen with the term "clear" rather than "clean"

Anyways, just my opinion. I'll step back and let others chime in too

[hiccup]

I would find "purge" alone to mean a complete ridding of data.

Can you point to any dictionary that implies that 'purging' means complete deletion?

trying to learn, not being a native English speaker
and being curious: are you a native English speaker?

[Mr. Trev]

I would find "purge" alone to mean a complete ridding of data.

Can you point to any dictionary that implies that 'purging' means complete deletion?

trying to learn, not being a native English speaker
and being curious: are you a native English speaker?

Native speaker, yes - as long as you consider Canadian, English

https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/purge

Typically, in my corner of the world, when people speak about purging something, they're talking about complete eradication - eq, purging water from your fuel lines. If they want to be more selective about the purge, then we'll add more details - see my "purge orphaned entries" remark

[hiccup]

- eq, purging water from your fuel lines.

So, that means purging fuel lines from water?
So the fuel lines are not removed?
It's only undesired elements that get removed?

Which is exactly what the current 'compress library' function does.
It's not removing the library, nor is it reducing the file size while keeping all data intact.
It is removing unwanted elements from it.
It purges the library.

Thanks for further strengthening my argument, I think.

[Mr. Trev]

- eq, purging water from your fuel lines.

So, that means purging fuel lines from water?
So the fuel lines are not removed?
It's only undesired elements that get removed?

Which is exactly what the current 'compress library' function does.
It's not removing the library, nor is it reducing the file size while keeping all data intact.
It is removing unwanted elements from it.
It purges the library.

Thanks for further strengthening my argument, I think.

purges the library from what?
Purging the library from Musicbee?

I think if your're going to use purge then you need to specify what's being purged from the library

[hiccup]

purges the library from what?
Purging the library from Musicbee?

Now we are getting silly.

I think if your're going to use purge then you need to specify what's being purged from the library

Why? Surely you don't think that 'Compress Library' properly specifies what it does?

[Mr. Trev]

purges the library from what?
Purging the library from Musicbee?

Now we are getting silly.

I think if your're going to use purge then you need to specify what's being purged from the library

Why? Surely you don't think that 'Compress Library' properly specifies what it does?

Sorry. When I hear you're purging the library, I have to wonder what you're purging the library from. I guess that's just my bad.

No, I don't think compress library does fully encompass what's happening, but technically it is smaller (compressed) when done <shrug>