accessing Btrieve files (*btr)

[tavie]

Hello...I am currently working with a database that uses btrieve 4.0 ? (I am not 100% sure). The app that accesses the database reads *btr files. When I try to open one of these *btr files with notepad, I do get some unrecognizable characters. I have tried some of the btrieve tools in other threads with no success. What I would like to do is read and write to the *btr files directly using VB and possibly even SQL 7.0. Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can access this data. PS there are no *ddf files present in the directories.

 

[dgillz]

I would recommenf that you need to get the ddfs, probably from whoever wrote the application.

There is a utility called BT Search which I have heard can create the ddfs for you although I have not tested it.

once you have the ddfs use Pervasives ODBC driver to set up ODBC DSNs and they you can read the data with MS Access, Crystal reports and a variety of tools Software Support for Sage Mas90, Macola, Crystal Reports, Goldmine and MS Office

 

[Pervasivite]

You have to use a Btrieve or Pervasive.SQL engine to read the data out of the files unless you want to write an engine yourself in VB to read the files (and for that you would need the file structure). Btrieve 4.0 was a DOS only engine and as such it's probably a very bad idea to use it from VB and there is no way to use it from SQL Server 7.0. You can use a Btrieve 6.15 engine if you have one, but the best way to manage this is to download, use, and then purchase a Pervasive.SQL 2000i engine which can read the Btrieve 4.0 files natively. You should find or create the DDFs as dgillz recommends and you should also convert the files into Btrieve 6.0 or 7.0 format with the Rebuild utility. I repeat, you DON'T want to use files in 4.0 or 5.0 format for production. Your best bet is to contact Pervasive directly or find a consultant who has done this before as it is quite tricky to get from where you are to where you want to be without some help and help takes time and time costs money. Unless your time is real cheap and you want to work through this alone find some professional help.

Regards,
Pervasivite

 

[icici]

hello tavie

u can do one thing. the files are not readable in notepad or wordpad or any other editor. to read them u have to save them using the following commands

btrieve <parameters>
butil -save <source file> <file to be saved> .

the saved file could beopened in any editor for viewing.


alternatively there is a file called as btfiler which can be used to read the btrieve file, no matter what ever the extension be.

this file should be available from

http://www.nomad.ee/btrieve/files/

for more help u may contact thru this thread


icici

 

[dgillz]

doesn't btfiler need the ddfs to work??? Software Support for Sage Mas90, Macola, Crystal Reports, Goldmine and MS Office

 

[icici]

btfiler doesn.t need any ddfs, as it shows the data in the form of a string. in case u know the file structure, its a very useful tool.


icici

 

[grnelson]

If you need to create DDF files you can take a look at BtSearch at

http://www.nssdd.com.

It will help you analyze your file structure and build the DDF's. Once created it allows you to browse through your data as well as export to dbase or ascii format. Gil

 

[DbaseInc]

Great but I cant find the drivers.. Attempted the website listed but It errors out asking for drivers. I really need to read and write to btr files. If you know where I can get the drivers I would be greatful.'

Thanks
David Severns
Dbaseinc@aol.com

 

[grnelson]

You can always download the latest Pervasive drivers at

http://www.pervasive.com.

They are single user which means no other users can be in the files when you are viewing them. Then you should be able to use BtSearch32 to read the files. Gil