Converting a bitrieve file using Crystal Report

[Guest_imported]

I'm using a windows application (called clicks, and not very famous)to manage a database. As far as i know, the program is based on btrieve. The database files end with .dat extension.
Is it possible to read those files using Crystal report?

I was told I need a program called Pervasive.SQL (in addition to Crystal Report), in order to read the files. Is it true?

Thank you very much for your help

 

[mirtheil]

Depending on the version of Btrieve that you have, you may be able to use Crystal without upgrading to Pervasive.SQL. Pervasive.SQL is just the newest version of Btrieve. If you have the 32 bit version of Btrieve, it might work. To check this, check for WBTRV32.DLL and W32MKDE.EXE or W32BTICM.DLL. If you've got these files, then you should be able to use Crystal using the native driver. You won't be able to use ODBC unless you also have an ODBC driver installed (file name is W32BTINT.DLL).
Upgrading to Pervasive.SQL would be ideal because it's supported (older versions of Btrieve aren't supported anymore), has ODBC drivers included, and offers more OS support than older versions of Btrieve.
mirtheil@mirtheil.com
Custom VB and Btrieve development.
Certified Pervasive Developer
Certified Pervasive Technician

 

[Guest_imported]

Thank you very much !

Just to make sure - in order to open the files I should install on my computer Crystal report (and probably the Pervasive.sql as well), then copy the .dat (which are on another computer!) and open them using Crystal, right?

How difficult should it be to open them?
Do I need the application that created the files as well?

 

[dgillz]

You need the .ddf files to open a btrieve file with crystal. Do a search in your application directory for file.ddf, field.ddf or index.ddf. If you do not have them you may be able to get them from the people that wrote Clicks.

When you create a new crystal report, click on database, browese to file.ddf and double click it. All the tables in your ddf will be there. Pick your tables, then your fields, etc.

Be warned that some btrieve applications - Peachtree comes immediately to mind - do not expose all their data files to the .ddfs, so you may run into a problem writing a crystal report.

Feel free to post again or email me if you have any problems, I work with btreive and crystal all the time. Software Training and Support for Macola, Crystal Reports and Goldmine
251-621-8972
dgilsdorf@mchsi.com