Dbase IV

[farnorth]

I have an old program that runs in dos that I would like to update and or use a different database application. I don't know anything about dbase so I am looking for some help to get started. The file extensions are DBF, DBO, NDX and PRF with a batch file to run the program. Does anyone know if there is an application that would read the files and structure? I can import the DBF file to access but that does not help much because all I get are the headers. I have tried a couple of converters but they don't seem to read any of the files. I am at a loss where to start. HELP!!

Thanks
Bob

 

[ormsk]

The file extensions you ask about are:
DBF = data file
DBO = compiled program (compiled from a .prg file)
NDX = single index file
PRF = print format file

The only file of any use to you will be the .dbf files. These should import/link without a problem. However, are you really sure they are dbase IV?... there are access filters for dbase III which are for dbf files too, but there is a subtle difference between the respective file structures, hence the different import selections.

Maybe no data exists in the dbf files, which would explain why you can only see the structure.

**********************************
There is more than one way to skin a cat...but who wants a skinned cat?

 

[JockMullin]

Hi, Bob

If the .dbf file doesn't have too many records you may be able to open it in Excel.

However, I strongly suggest you try it on a copy of the file because Excel may corrupt the file, especially if you try to write (save) the file.

Alternatively, you could use dClip from

http://www.donnay-software.com

- click on the "free dclip" button and download the install for dClip.exe. This will give you a command line (dot prompt) interface where you can type:

use <path>\filename.dbf
copy to <path>\<filename>.csv delimited

to copy all the records to a comma delimited file which can be imported into a variety of database applications.

Jock

 

[farnorth]

Great info, I am going to try it out. If I decide to try to convert/recreate the program itself in some more modern application, what would you recommend I use and would it even be possible? I missed learning Dbase in the dos days. By the way, the program starts up with Dbase IV run-time.

The problem I am up against is the only way to run this program currently is on an old laptop with dos. I would like to have something more stable. It is a custom program used at a race track to set the line-up based on criteria enterd. There is nothing else like it so if it dies on us we are in a heap of hurt.

Thanks
Bob

 

[JockMullin]

Hi Bob

I think the first step would be to figure out what the program does exactly and then choose a more modern (Windows) platform to migrate it to.

If you Google .DBO DECOMPILER you will get a bunch of hits for services which will recreate the source code based on the "compiled" dBase IV code. That plus knowledge of the database structures involved should give you what you need to get it copy coded.

As to which platform to migrate to, there are several that can use the existing .dbf structures and much of the code, including:

Visual dBase - though many folks may not agree, this seems to be rapidly dying but is still a viable platform

Visual FoxPro - a lot of people have migrated there from dBase, VDB and from Clipper and most have become enthusiatic about the environment

xHarbour, Alaska FiveWin et al - new generation Clipper environments, a bit of a niche but they are keeping a lot of legacy code running, even under 32 bit Windows and provide a good development environment with scalability.

The one you choose will mostly be determined by who you can find to do the work and whether you want to just re-create the existing app or enhance it. If you don't know dBase yourself, maybe you should try contracting it out. It could be a good application for a student project, once you have the requirements documented.

Depending where you are located (how far north is far north?) it should be possible to get the job done. This site discourages job hunting, but other furums such as Google groups carry a lot of it, willingly or not.

Jock

 

[farnorth]

Wow Jock, what an excellant post of information. I very much appreciate your input and am off to do some research. This is exactly what I needed to get started. Thank you!!!