Dataware ?????

[Bramvg]

Hello,

A client is asking me if I can retrieve information from a CD-ROM he has given me.

The interface is written in Delphi and, according to him, the data is stored in a 'dataware database'!?

Now, I have no clue what Dataware is. But as he used Delphi together with Dataware it might tell you guys/girls something? ANY help is more than welcome!

With kind regards
bram

 

[TealWren]

This may just be coincidental, but maybe your client is mixing up the database with the way the Delphi interface is accessing the database?

Delphi has Data-aware controls which can be used to access many different kinds of database back-ends.

Hope that helps!

 

[Bramvg]

Hi TealWren,

Thank you for the fast response.

The sollution you told me, can be possible as well of course.
BUT can you tell me if theire is a way to get this data out of this application. Keeping in mind that I do not have the source codes (nor does my client).....

Is the only way to get this data 'out of this data-aware component' via the source code?

With many thanks
bram

 

[TealWren]

I am sure you can get the data, it's just a matter of determining what format it is in.

It could be any number of different databases. Look for the database files on the CD, and see if you recognize any of these file extensions:

.MDF, .LDF would be MSSQL
.DB,.PX,.XG0,.YG0 would be Paradox
.GDB is Interbase
.MDB is MS Access
.DBF is FoxPro (maybe! There are others that use .dbf)
.DB, .NDX would be Btrieve

Can't think of any more off the top of my head, but that is a few of them.

Good luck!
Teal Wren

 

[Bramvg]

Hi TealWren,

Well that is the problem, these files DO NOT have an extension ! :-(

I'm sure these are the files I need to have (because of the file size) but they do not have an extension! :-(
Any suggestions?

With kind regards
bram

 

[svanels]

Can you access the computer where this applications was installed?
If it is a regular database like access, paradox or other then it is likely to have the BDE (Borland Database Engine) installed. There should be somewhere on the computer the program BDE administrator. This can give you a clue which format it is.
It also could be a native pascal style database, then only the source code could help.
If the program has set-up program, run it, and check if the BDE administrator is installed.

Good luck S. van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr

 

[Bramvg]

Hi svanels,

Yes, I can access the computer. In fact, I have the cd-rom lying next to me, so I can install it myself.

Yesterday I also installed the borland database engine 5.11. But I cannot find a way to retrieve a link to it.

I'm sure it's not a 'normal' database. No Ms Access, Foxpro,... was used. The 'shitty' part is that the files do NOT have an extension, so I have no clue how to deal with the files.

The filenames are like this: "VEMNDD00"
I'm not sure this tells you something. I can't work in Delphi, so maybe it's only a stupid thing to say, but maybe it does tell you something, like: 'Oh yeah, this is a standard filenaming of......', I don't know, anything that could help me getting the result would make me happier ;-)

I also tried to rename them, to all kinds of extensions, like mdb/db/..... even .zip/.... but no such luck.


Any recommendations?
bram

 

[svanels]

If the database is not native pascal code, then there must be a link with the executable file and the database
Generally it is the BDE or ODBC.
Check if the BDE administrator exist in the control panel.
If the installation program makes use of it, then an alias must exist refering to venmddoo or the data directory
Browse the aliases and look of somewhere on the right side you see venmddoo or the drive/directory where the tables exist. The type property should give an indication of the file type.
Is there some data directory for the tables? If it is paradox then a lot of files are installed.


Another option is to install the application on your computer, and observe all the objects which are installed.

S. van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr

 

[TealWren]

Sometimes the BDE link installs to the control panel. Either way you should be able to do a find files for BDEAdmin.exe and create a shortcut to that executable.