Help!!! I need to interface via ODBC to a dbase II database.
Unfortunately the only ODBS drivers I have found support dbase III or
above files only. I have tried to run the program code through dbaseIV
without success. If I move to dbase III for my program would the dbase
II code and data be supported without any problems. I have had a look
on ebay and found a copy for $99. If I need to go down this route is
this the cheapest way.

On 2 Sep 2004 09:44:16 -0700, jonwilliams1 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com (Jonathan)
wrote:

There was a conversion program packaged with dBASE III, dBASE IV, and
I believe dBase 5 that converts .dbf, prg, etc.

The program is called dbconvert. Check your dBASE IV disks for it.

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 17:30:58 -0400, techno <out.there (AT) somewhere (DOT) com>
wrote:

I gave you the wrong filename.

The conversion program is called dconvert.exe and is in the disk5.zip
file in the dBASE IV v1.5 set on disk "System Disk 2". The pkunzip.exe
program is on the "Install Disk".

Thankyou for your help so far. I have tried the dbconvert untility and
found it to be very unreliable (lots of error messages). I will be
dealing with 100's of .prg file without any expertise. Two questions:

1. Is there any other way to convert the code. If not, are you aware
of anybody who could provide the programming expertise.

2. Are you aware of any ODBC drivers for DbaseII databases.

Yours in anticipation

Jonathan

techno <out.there (AT) somewhere (DOT) com> wrote

On 3 Sep 2004 07:29:42 -0700, jonwilliams1 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com (Jonathan)
wrote:

The error messages are normal and are placed into the converted .prg
files and should be very clear. Most of it is minor or cosmetic
changes that would be needed. Others would require varying degrees of
knowledge to correct.

That's a big problem for a layman.

There may be, but I don't remember finding any. I'm sure that someone
did it themselves to get their code converted over. Question is, do
they still have the code from 15-20 years ago.

I don't have the time to do it myself, but I'll bet there are others
that do. It might not be too hard for a good dBASE programmer.

Never looked for it myself.

Hi techno,

it might be worth a try running it through dbase3+ with hardly no change
at all. If its worth it, convert the prgs to a harbour or xbase++ programm.
This would keep the functions and look original and with something
like minigui even move it up to a windowsprogram running parallel to the
console mode.

Sean

"techno" <out.there (AT) somewhere (DOT) com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:k8ehj0lv5qkqt17fppnaseei5hr5pk0j10 (AT) 4ax (DOT) com...

Jonathan -
I retired my :
1. Cromemco running dbase II and mp/m back in 1999
2. luggable with CP/M and dbase II back in 1997 -
I don't know if you can FIND a machine that will reliably run
dbase II pgms as dbase II IN a dbase II environment.

You mentioned both program code AND the data files. To me ? These are two
seperate entities .
You most likely have business logic in the program code
and of course - DATA in the data files.

You can certainly convert the data to be any thing else .
The Business Logic, alas, needs a major overhaul.

Does your group/entity/boss have the money to pay for a business logic
rewrite ?
If So - you should be in good stead.
If Not - then I suggest you acquire a few senior level college students and
turn this into a senior project for them [for spring 2005 semester] .

That said -
I would suggest you move on .
look at xbase for linux
dbf2000 [wintel]
xHarBour [sp?]
Visual FoxPro
dbase in its current version

If you have over 100 prg files - then ? some one wrote you a 'system'. You
need to convert it .
and
Document it
and
go over the old core 'business logic'
and make sure it matches
what the business wants to do, going forward. It's a nice translation job -
pgm code to business english.
THEN ? You'll want to translate it back, from Business English to 'other'
pgm code. Usually - the 'mid' product is called a 'program specification'
and is not written in programming language. The fun bit, I sense - is to
take that mid product, give it to the suits, and have them dissect it into
yet another 'Program Specification' that may or may not [usually not, ah?
business rules change] be the same set o business rules that YOU or an
analyst decoded from the codebase.

IF ? All you wanna do is 'get to the data' ? and there is no encryption on
the files ?
Make a copy -
read it in visual foxpro
or dbf2000
make a fileset that is compatible with the drivers for odbc in, at least,
the MS MDAC 2.5 set,
and go forth ...
I AM gonna assume, though, that you are not a programmer or a software
developer; and further suggest you find one ! If you are a smart man - you
won't farm the work out to India or China [one can hope, ah?]

hth - warmest regards [Bill]

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"Jonathan" <jonwilliams1 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote