Reading Btrieve files

[Guest_imported]

Hello all...

I am trying to work with an application that uses Btrieve database to store information. The application appears to have been written in Delphi, and runs on a networked Windows platform. I need to develop another add-on application that uses data stored in the database files. It
seems all I have is access to .dat and .idx files of the database. I have not noticed any .ddf files. I am also not certain what version of Btrieve is being used. I can develop this other add-on either in VB or Java. I have worked with Access and MSSQL databases using JDBC, ODBC,
ADO and DAO. However, I have never worked with Btrieve.

I would really like to be read as well as be able to add to this database, not just records but maybe also new fields. But, I can live with just reading the records, In that case I would create another database using Access for the new fields and records that I will need. I started looking for ODBC drivers and noticed that Pervasive SQL 2000i would provide those. But other things I read indicated that I need Btrive 6.15 installed, or something like that - I am not sure. I have also downloaded some tools for viewing/editing data, but have not had much success yet (I must admit I have not spent enough time trying them out, or even tried all of them).

Can anyone advise me on what my options are? How can I link up with the .dat files and read/write data to it? What are the drivers, tools, etc. that I will need and where could I get them? Before spending a lot of money, I would like to try out some demo versions.

Thank you very much!

Jay
jashah@monsoontech.com

 

[dgillz]

I am a only little bit knowledgeable of btrieve but I do not beleive you can access these files without the ddfs. Contact the software mfg (on the web maybe) and get the ddfs. I had to do this once on a strange package. Software Support for Sage Mas90, Macola, Crystal Reports, Goldmine and MS Office

 

[icici]

contact

http://www.pervassive.com

site for getting a trial version which is valid for about 30 days.

in case your btrieve doesn't use ddf, may be its using older version of btrieve engine. however the latest version of pervassive supports older versions also as is claimed by the vendor. the data could be saved in a flat line sequential file using the command

butil -save <btrieve file> <save file>

for any more details you r welcome


icici

 

[Pervasivite]

It's unlikely that the .idx files are Btrieve, though it is possible to make index only files, it's not a common approach since Btrieve files usually contain all their own indexes.

Yes, you can access the files without DDFs, however, none of the non-indexed fields will be defined, so you have to define them yourself and if you don't have a published schema this amounts to guessing and then testing to make sure it doesn't blow up. As long as the developer used standard data types you're probably going to be OK, but if they created their own data types or compressed or encrypted the data in those fields then you're in trouble.

Regards,
Pervasivite