# Starting the application

Obviously you have managed to start Data Crow otherwise you would not be here, reading the help file. There are however some additional start up options that could be beneficial for you.

## Available Memory

You have either started Data Crow by using the "datacrow.exe" file or you are using the Java command (directly or indirectly) "Java -jar datacrow.jar". First of all, Java (not Data Crow) will always limit the amount of memory available to Data Crow. If you get OutOfMemoryErrors, let me know, but also try and assign more memory to Data Crow like so:
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar

## Using multiple installations / environments

If you use multiple Data Crow installations you have several choices to make:

- | Set up a user folder on a network share. Each of the Data Crow installations will point to this user folder. This is established by selecting the same user folder on each of the Data Crow installations.
- | In case you run multiple Data Crow instances on one machine you can either have them using the same user directory (sharing the same settings and data) or assign a separate user folder to each of the installations (-userdir parameter).
- | In addition to the above you can share the user folder between the various installations but have them using a different database per installation (-db parameter).

The various parameters are explained in the next paragraph.

## Start up parameters

Each of the parameters listed below can supplied when starting the datacrow.exe file or when using the Java command to start Data Crow.

### Using a different database

By default Data Crow uses a database named "dc".
To use another database (for testing purposes for example) you can use the following parameter: -db:<database name>.
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar -db:dc_new

### Specifying the user folder

Use this parameter to specify a specific user directory. Multiple instances of Data Crow can be started using this parameter. Additionally the selected user folder path will not be stored in the datacrow.properties file. Parameter: -userdir:<user directory>
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar -userdir:C:\Data Crow\Data
You can also make the path relative to the Data Crow installation folder by supplying the path as './'.
Example: -userdir:./data

### Specifying the installation directory

In case Data Crow can't find the installtion folder you can specify the installation folder yourself.
This can happen on platforms other than Windows. Parameter: -dir:<installation path>
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar -dir:/usr/home/datacrow

### Connection to a server

More on this: download the client-server manual
In case you want to connect to a Data Crow application server, you have to supply the client parameter. Using this parameter will open the server login dialog on startup. Parameter: -client
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar -client

### Specifying the login credentials

This option can be used to skip the login dialog. Parameter: -credentials:username/password
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar -credentials:me/12345

### Add additional information to log (debug)

Append -debug to the startup command of Data Crow to log debug information. Parameter: -debug
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar -debug

### Hide the splash screen at start up

To prevent the splash screen when starting Data Crow you can supply the nosplash parameter. Parameter: -nosplash
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar -nosplash

### Clear all settings

To reset Data Crow to its original settings supply the following parameter: -clearsettings
Example: Java -Xmx512m -jar datacrow.jar -clearsettings