SDF file

[cramd]

I have a "SDF" file and cannot open it. Do I need an SDF reader?? Don't know which forum to post this on, because I'm not sure what this file is?? Any help out there??
cramd

 

[carrr]

System Data Format file (fixed length ASCII text)

 

[carrr]

...could be for a lot of things, judging from a quick google search...nothing that this forum's going to provide much help on by the look of it, though.

 

[cramd]

This file contains 900,000 records--I just don't know how to open it. If it is ASCII text, should I not be able to open it in notepad and convert to a csv format--which is something I can work with. OR do I need a SDF reader?? Never have worked with anything like this and a google search didn't provide much help either.
Diane

 

[carrr]

900000 records in Notepad? Doubtful.

Again, I found lots of references to SDF files in different contexts...most if not all of which were meaningless to me. Any idea of what the records are? I only ask as I've found a SDF viewer that offers a trial download, but is it for what you need? I'm probably well more in the dark than you...

http://www.safe.com/solutions/whitepapers/mapguide_fme.htm

 

[cramd]

Thanks for this link--I'm downloading the trial now. The file contains names and addresses, I understand why it would be ASCII format, but when it was burned onto a CD is that why it became an SDF file?? Thanks for interest in my post.
Diane

 

[carrr]

No problem. I'm not sure if burning it would have made it an SDF per se, but rather someone chose (or inadvertently let the generating program default to that format).....
but, wait....you said names/addresses. Is there any chance you're dealing with a Spatial Data File? This might have come out of ARCView GIS?

 

[cramd]

I have no clue - other than the file extension is SDF --and of course the free trial download does not want to execute....but yes, this file does contain all names and addresses for a mass mailing that our company will use--if I ever get the file to open.......
Diane

 

[billch]

Diane,

MS Access should be able to read an SDF file (if it is truely an ASCII file).

In Access 2000:
1. File, Get External Data, Import
2. File type = Text File (even though SDF is not specified)
3. Fixed Width, ....

Even if you convert it to CSV, you won't be able to use Excel...to many records.

Bill Chambers
Fairfax, VA

 

[cramd]

I've tried, when I select "Text" as file type, it will not display the file. So you are saying, even with the extension of "SDF" it should allow me to select the file when using type "text" for my choice.
Diane

 

[billch]

Oops, In order for the file to show up, rename with a TXT extension.

Bill

 

[cramd]

Bill,
I'll try on Monday. Thanks for your interest in my post!
Diane

 

[white605]

I have received files like this before and resorted to a work around to get the data out using foxpro/vfp. Usually the records are a fixed length up to 254 characters from mainframe times. After figuring out how many charcters are in each record(looking for a repete with a text editor that will open the file or debug, I create a database with one field of that length. Then Append from the sdf file type sdf with foxpro. To get the data in a usable format I next parse that file using substrings and place the data into another database with the required fields and lengths.

 

[davidelnormal]

Go to a site on the net called

http://filext.com

It has a list of most file extensions and should be of assistance.