USe VFP 5.0 backup to VFP 9.0

[njsandor]

I have been using VFP 5.0 professional. I have attempted to load BAk (backup) file( database program and data) to VFP 9.0 without success. VFP 9.0 does not share a common filing system with 5.0 or Bak file. Can this be done?
Thaks for any suggestions.

 

[stfaprc]

VFP5 can not open tables created by VFP9 unless they were created with a modifier like TYPE FOX2.

 

[Mike Lewis]

VFP5 can not open tables created by VFP9 unless they were created with a modifier like TYPE FOX2.

Actually, I think VFP 5 can open tables created by VFP 9, provided they are free tables. It's only tables within a DBC that are not backwardly-compatible (not sure about that).

Stfaprc, you might be thinking of FoxPro 2.x. Version 2.x can't open tables created with any version of VFP unless they are free tables, and they don't have any of the "new" features of VFP (such as NULL support). That's where TYPE FOX2X comes in. Also, FOX2X is not a "modifier" for creating tables; it's a clause in the COPY TO command.

NJSandor: How did you create these BAK files? Are they simply copies of the DBFs and PRGs? If so, any BAK file you created in VFP 5 should be capable of being opened in VFP 9.

In the case of PRGs, these are just text files, so there should be no problem in opening them in any version.

Are you sure you are referring to the correct names when you try to open them? What error message do you see?

Mike



__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro tips, advice, training, consultancy
Custom software for your business

 

[cbasoz]

Mike,
I think he is right. Even if it is a free table, it still needs additional constraints to be able to be opened under VFP5 (such as not having an autoinc column).

I didn't understand what the poster meant by backup - BAK files and "load to VFP9".

Cetin Basoz
MS Foxpro MVP, MCP

 

[Mike Lewis]

Even if it is a free table, it still needs additional constraints to be able to be opened under VFP5 (such as not having an autoinc column).

Yes, you're right about the Autoinc. But do you agree that, if the table doesn't have any features specific to VFP 6 - 9, it should be openable directly in 5, without any kind of conversion? That would be my understanding.

But, in any case, I think the questioner is wanting to go in the other direction. Some clarification on that point would be useful.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro tips, advice, training, consultancy
Custom software for your business

 

[njsandor]

Let me be more specific. I am trying to transfer database and data from VFP 5.0 to use on VFP 9.0. When I try to import backup data to 9.0 I am asked to choose Symphony or others which 5.0 does not apparently share. Is there a way to use a database designed for 5.0 for 9.0?

 

[stfaprc]

I don't understand why VFP9 is even asking. What command are you using in VFP9?

 

[njsandor]

My database is on VFP 5.0 on windows 98 and I wish to transfer same database to run on VFP 9.0 on windows XP. I am trying to restore or import this database to new system so far without success.

 

[Mike Lewis]

You don't need to use a backup, and you don't need to do an import.

VFP 9 will use VFP 5 data as it is. Just open the tables in the usual way. It doesn't matter which version of VFP created them, or under which version of Windows.

If you can't simply USE one of the tables, let us know what error message you are seeing.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro tips, advice, training, consultancy
Custom software for your business

 

[JRB-Bldr]

"VFP 9.0 does not share a common filing system with 5.0 "

By that I assume that you mean "Does not share a common data table/database directory".

Since, as Mike says above, VFP9 can readily utilize the VFP5 data tables/databases with NO "conversion", why not just make the VFP9 application share the tables?

"My database is on VFP 5.0 on windows 98 and I wish to transfer same database to run on VFP 9.0 on windows XP"

Unless, for some unique reason, you want this VFP9 application to be TOTALLY resident on a single workstation, you will NOT want your data tables/databases on the workstation (and within its workstation OS) at all.

Instead you will want the data tables/databases on a Server in your network where both the VFP9 and VFP5 applications can share the files. (Obviously your VFP5 & VFP9 code would need to be modified to access the data tables from the Server.)

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr