ASA Database Administration Guide
Database Administration Utilities
With the Compression utility you can compress a database file. The Compression utility reads the given database file and creates a compressed database file. Compressed databases are usually 40 to 60 per cent of their original size. The database server cannot update compressed database files: they must be used as read-only files, in conjunction with write files.
The Compression utility does not compress files other than the main database file. The database to be compressed must not be running.
Exit codes are 0 (success) or non-zero (failure).
You can access the Compression utility in the following ways:
From Sybase Central, using the Compress Database wizard.
At the command prompt, using the dbshrink command. This is useful for incorporating into batch or command files.
Compressing a database using the Compress Database wizard
Compressing a database using the dbshrink command-line utility