Converting a Single User DBase III program to Multiuser.

[salimwng]

Hello,

I don't know if this is the right place to post my query, but I couldn't find any other forum that best matches my problem, described further below;

I have a very old Dbase program ( done probable on Dbase 3+) which runs on dos ( or a Dos window of Win98 ). The program was initially done for single user ( at that time to be run under DOS system ). Now i need to get another person to work at it at the same time. I have been able to setup a workgroup ( 2 computers connected to each other ). Is there any utility or program that allows this program to be shared simultaneously. The guy who setup this program for me, unfortunately passed away in a car accident, taking along the source code and everything else.

Sorry again if i am in the wrong forum,

Thanks for any advice,
Regards.
Salim

 

[EzLogic]

Hello my friend. It is OK, this is a dbase forum, though not a dBase III.

Anyway, in order to convert your files to multi-user, it is gonna require a few work.

For example:

You must have the following command:

Set Exclusive OFF

Also, anytime you have replace/append/delete, etc.. you must LOCK the record.

Any time you have an Index ON command or PACK or ZAP or any command that requires exclusive access, you must re-open that particular file in EXCLUSIVE MODE. and then, close it, and reopen it in Shared MODE.

Let me know if the information wsa helpful or if you need further information.

Ali Koumaiha
TeknoSoft Inc
Farmington Hills, Michigan

 

[salimwng]

Hi Ali,

Thank you so much for replying. I really appreciate.

I guess the commands ( set Exclusive ) need to be in a *.BAT file, example like an autoexec.bat file. But how can i lock the record ? The DBF program we have is already compiled in an EXE format. And there are many files ( XXXX.DBF, XXXXX.NTX, etc, etc ). In the menu i have noticed an option for re-indexing, among others like Add, Create, Amend, Delete.

The program is so small that it can fit on a Floppy disk when compressed through Winzip, but it help us a lot in our work.

Let me give you some more insight about our little program;

Folder used under the Main Directory is C:\JOBTIKET and many files are present ( E.g. JOBTIKET.EXE, YARN.DBF, YARN.NTX, DYES.DBF, DYES.NTX, CHEMICAL.DBF CHEMICAL.NTX, etc, etc ). I have configured an icon on the desktop of Win98Se to execute the program directly, instead of going to the command prompt, etc, etc.

So, that's it Ali. I hope i have been able to provide you with all the info.

My speciality is Unix, Database is another world for me !

I hope you'll be able to sort out something for me.

Keep well,
My best regards.
Salim

 

[repete]

Ali's suggestions require changes in the original source code, you can't issue the set exclusive command in a batch (.bat) file.

is it possible that when the exe was originally written, it incorporated sufficient logic to allow it to be used as a multi user application. have you tried this on a back up copy ? (so as not to disrupt your live data)

as the application sounds like it is small and not overly complicated, a medium term fix may be to have it re-written as a multi-user application.

Pete Bloomfield
Down Under

 

[EzLogic]

Salim, your program is not a dBase program rather it is made in clipper (a Hybrid or an xBase language based on dBase) because of the NTX (Index files). dBase has NDX index extension. Clipper programming is my specialty though I program in VFP now for about couple of years.


As Repete suggested, you need the original PRG files (the source code) before it was compiled and linked into an exe. Do you have the PRGS?

If you do, If you want, you can email them to me and I can make it multi-user for you.

I have a utility that will transform a single user exe into a multi-user exe (provided you give me the source code).

Let me know if I can help.

Ali

Ali Koumaiha
TeknoSoft Inc
Farmington Hills, Michigan

 

[salimwng]

Thanks to you Repete and Ali for your precious suggestions.

I unfortunately do not have the source code (the PRGS), as i mentioned in my first post, the guy who did this program for me died in a car accident 3 years ago ! I tried to contact his family to obtain the source code, but none of them are aware about his workings.

Being a positive guy in nature, i prefer to ask for help with Specialist like you before trying to conclude that i am doomed !

While surfing on the net long time ago, I once came across ( 2 years ago ) a utility that allows a single program to become Multiuser ( but it was limited to 5 users only ). I didn't pay attention to that, BUT TODAY I AM IN DAMN NEED OF THIS.

I tried many searches, i even wanted to find a program that might DECOMPILE my EXE prgram so that i ontain the source. But i couldn't find any. Most of the posts i read said that i will not be possible. God.... What will I do now ?

Do you think i am doomed with this problem or can there be any other alternatives ?

Looking forward to read from you guys,

Keep well and
T H A N K S A G A I N .
Salim

 

[tviman]

Salim...

There is one possibility but it will require that you have some dBase coding experience (or hire someone who does). This is by far, the least desirable situation but it will work.

1. Copy the program and the database files onto a second machine. Allow both users to work in a single-user mode.
2. At the end of the day, or whenever, you would have to combine the two databases into a single file, run them through a dbase routine to extract any duplicate records, then compy the file back to the two machines and reindex the files.

Note: this will only work if there is a "reindexing" or "rebuild indexes" routine in your original program; you can have someone build the routine to combine and extract duplicate records.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[bookouri]

You really should consider if its worth keeping that dbase III stuff going. I'm really shocked that any of the old dbase III or Clipper apps will even run on "modern" equipment. You might be better served personally if you picked up Foxpro or Access or some database product that's not dead and spent your time re-creating the functionality of the original program and learning something that might be useful for other projects.

There used to be decompilers available that would take a clipper exe and give you back the source code. You might luck up and find one. I never used one and dont know if they would actually give you usable source code but if you're going to keep that old dog alive you need the source code.

 

[EzLogic]

Wow, Salim, It is sad to hear about the person passing away, may his soul rest in peace.

As bookouri said, there is a decompiler for clipper, it is called Valkerie. Give it a shot.

If you want, send me the exe, let me see what i can do with it.

my email: akoumaiha AT Hotmail DOT com (for spammers and scanners)

Also, Bookouri, I have over 200 companies that are still using my clipper app in the Detroit area for their paging and cellular business. I also have 3 Dry Cleaner places using 1 clipper app, and i have 6 video stores (3 locations each) using my video clipper app....

But, I moved to VFP now, and the transition was awesome. Though, i came to this forum cuz it is NOT dbaseIII, rather the new dBase Plus (based on the xBase technology)..

Ali Koumaiha
TeknoSoft Inc
Farmington Hills, Michigan

 

[salimwng]

Ali,

Am gonna try Valkyrie just after this post. I've heard about this in the past. I think it has been taken by GrafxSoft Ltd.

Will send you the EXE and all the stuff tomorrow morning. Right now it's 45 past midnight here and ...yep...am still working. Got to give the best in this competitive world !

Bookouri, with all due respect my friend, the "old dog" you are mentioning above, about my program, that's what is helping me survive together with my kids and family. So if you don't mind, let's term it differently. I prefer to use obsolete than....DOG ! No hard feelings hun.

Ali, have you heard about that utility which allows a single program to become multiuser ?

Thanks to all of you.

Regards.
Salim

 

[EzLogic]

Salim, I think you misunderstood boukouri.. i don't think he ment to insult 'you', rather, an old dog, means, something old as the language.. anyway...

I Do have the program that converts from single user to multi-user. All I need is the PRGS.


PS:, Where are you now? what country? if you don't mind answering, or better, you can answer it in the email.



Peace, and I will try to help out as much as I can.

Ali Koumaiha
TeknoSoft Inc
Farmington Hills, Michigan

 

[salimwng]

I am from Mauritius. It's an Island situated West of Australia and West of Madagascar. Our tiny island is famous for it's tourist industry. On the net and in Travel agencies we are called Paradise Island !

Actually am at home and doing my research in Unix ( doing a Thesis ). My Email is salimwng AT bow DOT intnet mu

I'll give you more info by email when i get back to the office.

I searched for the Valkyrie Software and you are right it can decompile the Clipper program. But there's no evaluation of the soft., got to buy it...and WOW...US$ 195...that's big buck for me. Anyway, will continue to search.

As for Boukouri, that's OK. I looked at it at the positive side and have no rancor against him. But some other people might misunderstand the word.

Keep well guys,
Salim

 

[VivH]

Salim

I don't think you stand any chance of getting this program converted. You would be better off transferring the data files into another program (try Lotus Approach?) and getting someone to re-write the application with the same functions. Alternatively stick to the single user application but job share so you don't both update the data at the same time. Good luck and retire early!

VivH