Cross-version incompatibility?

#1

I tried posting this on the MultiValue group, but it hasn't even been
reviewed by a mod for posting yet (24 hours or so later), so I will
try here in an unmoderated group.

I have a backup of a file (containing Basic programs, if that matters)
that was created on a jBase system (3.4, I believe) running on Windows
NT. I no longer have access to the server (it's been decommissioned
and reformatted, since we no longer use either jBase or the
application that it was used to run) so I can't tell what file type it
was created as, but I do know that Windows sees the file as a file,
not as a directory.

I have recently discovered that I need to use a few of the programs in
that file. They will need to be re-written in another language on
another platform, but they worked well, and they would make a good
starting point.

I have access to a system running UniVerse (10.1) on a Linux platform.
I copied the file from Windows to the Linux server using ftp but I
cannot access the file. I created a voc entry as follows but I get an
error that UniVerse is unable to open the file if I try to LIST the
file (Unable to open "WINFILE" file), and I get an error that the file
does not exist (No "WINFILE" file)
<1> F
<2> WINFILE
<3> D_VOC

Is there an inherent incompatibility between jBase and UniVerse files
that will stop me from accessing this file on UniVerse?

If I absolutely have to, I could probably install a trial version of
jBase to get the files I need, and save them that way. But is there
something easier?

#2

Sorry, but, I think you will need to load jBASE to do this. If you used jBACKUP to perform the save then its not compatible with any other platform.

Rick

#3

On Feb 1, 2:27*pm, Rick Weiser <r... (AT) designbais (DOT) com> wrote:

Quote:

Sorry, but, I think you will need to load jBASE to do this. *If you used jBACKUP to perform the save then its not compatible with any other platform.

Rick

No, as far as I know, the save wasn't done with jBASE - it was a
simple Windows copy, dragging the file from the jBASE Windows folder
to another folder, just in case it was ever needed.

#4

On 2011-02-01 14:15:59 -0500, Kevin <kdoiron (AT) sympatico (DOT) ca> said:

Quote:

I have a backup of a file (containing Basic programs, if that matters)
that was created on a jBase system (3.4, I believe) running on Windows
NT. ..

I have recently discovered that I need to use a few of the programs in
that file.

I have an up and running jBASE system of the same vintage.

If you're really stuck and not worried that I may see some of your
code, zip the file and send it to

kpowick at gmail dot com

I'll convert the hash file items to plain old text file items and send
them back to you.

--
Kevin Powick

#5

On Feb 1, 9:22*pm, Kevin Powick <nos... (AT) spamless (DOT) com> wrote:

Quote:

On 2011-02-01 14:15:59 -0500, Kevin <kdoi... (AT) sympatico (DOT) ca> said:

snip
I have an up and running jBASE system of the same vintage.

If you're really stuck and not worried that I may see some of your
code, zip the file and send it to

kpowick at gmail dot com

I'll convert the hash file items to plain old text file items and send
them back to you.

--
Kevin Powick

Thanks for the offer. Because it's proprietary software, I'll have to
see if I can do that. It's also about a 20-meg file, with several
programs of which I only need a few.

#6

I also have 2 jBASE servers running, 3.4 and 4.1. Let me know if you need to use one of them.

Rick

#7

On 2011-02-02 13:59:59 -0500, Kevin <kdoiron (AT) sympatico (DOT) ca> said:

Quote:

Thanks for the offer. Because it's proprietary software, I'll have to
see if I can do that.

Understood.

Quote:

It's also about a 20-meg file, with several
programs of which I only need a few.

20MB of text will zip up pretty nicely.

Let me know here if you happen to send it so I can watch my spam filter.

Since you only need 1 or 2 programs, you might have some luck simply
opening the file with a good text editor that can handle the files
size, and converting the attribute marks to the desired line ending
type (i.e. CR/LF) , then just cut/paste the code you need.

--
Kevin Powick

#8

Kevin,

Usually, all jBase program files are OS directories. If your backup is simply a zip of all the files then you should be able to access the program file directories directly and pull out the programs that you need.

If you didn't create the program files as directories then you will need a jBase server to get at them.

Rick

#9

Rick Weiser wrote:

Quote:

If you didn't create the program files as directories then you will need a jBase server to get at them.

That's a great application for a web service, if only there were
demand:
- Enter an email address and CC payment info
- Select the DBMS platform
- Upload a single hashed file
- Click Convert
- Email is returned with a link to a compressed folder of text files

Pay by the MB or maybe by the number of items returned.

T

#10

On Feb 3, 1:27*pm, Rick Weiser <r... (AT) designbais (DOT) com> wrote:

Quote:

Kevin,

Usually, all jBase program files are OS directories. *If your backup issimply a zip of all the files then you should be able to access the program file directories directly and pull out the programs that you need.

If you didn't create the program files as directories then you will need a jBase server to get at them.

Rick

Unfortunately, the file was created as a hash file, not as a
directory. I don't know why - it was before my time, and suggestions
to change it fell on deaf ears. Of course, now that I might need the
file, the jBase server isn't up any more.