DBase DBF files import, but having trouble with DBV Memo files

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DBase DBF files import, but having trouble with DBV Memo files

Nathan Chapman

SSChasing Mays

Points: 620
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July 29, 2009 at 3:27 pm

#385082

Hi guys,
I am trying to convert an old Dbase application to .NET / MS SQL.
I had no problems getting a linked server up and running so that I could get the Dbase DBF data into SQL table format, but in cross checking with the original application I noticed that there was dbase 'memo' field data which does not import, because this data is stored in a seprate 'FlexFile 3' format in a corresponding .DBV file. i.e. orders.dbf / orders.dbv
I have tried a variety of freeware and shareware programs, searched google for days, checked sourceforge all without success. I've noticed that there are a few people on here that used to deal with Dbase / FoxPro / Clipper programming and any assistance with these DBV files would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

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Allister Reid SSCrazy Points: 2666 More actions · Answer 1

Hi there,

I have no experience of Dbase file types you refer to, though I have worked a lot with Foxpro to MS SQL imports. I have have had problems with Foxpro memo fields (stored in a separate .fpt file, rather than the main .dbf file).

The most reliable way I have of getting data from Foxpro to MS Sql, for the one off import, is using SQL Server Import and Export Wizard, however this does have an MS OLE DB Driver for Visual Foxpro built in.

For regular data imports I would generally create a specific application to do the job for me, but again I would be relying on MS OLE.

A quick google search pulls up some issues with OLE and Memo fields, but I haven't had any major issues.

Hopefully this gives you something to go on.

Nathan Chapman SSChasing Mays Points: 620 More actions · Answer 2

Thanks for your reply.

Still a bit stuck here. I haven't found a way to use the 'MS OLE DB Driver for Visual Foxpro' to access memo/.dbv files, including using the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard. The memo field just gets imported as blank. Is there any way of transforming FlexFile 3 formatted files? I have googled and none of the tools out there seem to be help, although a few promise support. I have also spoken with the software vendors of these tools without success.

Allister Reid SSCrazy Points: 2666 More actions · Answer 3

Sorry if I have caused you confusion here, my suggestion was that you find an OLE driver for the database format you are working with. Really just trying to help by giving you somewhere to focus your energies in searching for a solution, as you sounded fairly desperate.

Have you any means of programmatically (or otherwise outwith the legacy app) accessing the memo fields?

I'm still not 100% sure on what the file format of the database you are trying to access is :S

vinayak_mohan Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 573 More actions · Answer 4

Hi,
Did you get the solution to the problem that is reported. I have the same problem now. Your solution will help me. There is no help on internet related to this.

I am trying to convert an old Dbase application to .NET / MS SQL.
I had no problems getting a linked server up and running so that I could get the Dbase DBF data into SQL table format, but in cross checking with the original application I noticed that there was dbase 'memo' field data which does not import, because this data is stored in a seprate 'FlexFile 3' format in a corresponding .DBV file. i.e. orders.dbf / orders.dbv

sgmunson SSC Guru Points: 110640 More actions · Answer 5

You may want to try to use a file viewer application... This one might help, and they offer a free trial:

http://www.avantstar.com/quick-view-plus-2017?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw9q_8-zL2QIV2JJ-Ch1VbQfLEAMYAiAAEgK-RPD_BwE#fndtn-overview

Steve (aka sgmunson) 🙂 🙂 🙂
Rent Servers for Income (picks and shovels strategy)

vinayak_mohan Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 573 More actions · Answer 6

Thanks Steve, but I would want to read these files from c# code. Looks like avanstar does not provide any sdk for this. I am more looking at a driver or any third party library that can do this for me.

sgmunson SSC Guru Points: 110640 More actions · Answer 7

vinayak_mohan - Thursday, March 1, 2018 8:00 PM
Thanks Steve, but I would want to read these files from c# code. Looks like avanstar does not provide any sdk for this. I am more looking at a driver or any third party library that can do this for me.

That kind of result seems highly unlikely. Not that you couldn't use C# or even VB to read the file, just more likely that there will be no object-oriented SDK to manipulate the file with. I was cognizant of this possibility when I previously posted, and figured that if you could at least view the file, and then also do some direct file reads and compare what you see in the raw data with what you see in the file viewer, you might easily "discover" exactly how to read the file format for yourself. Most of the people I know that write C# would have that skillset. Or did you just not want to have to go to that level of effort due to time constraints?

Steve (aka sgmunson) 🙂 🙂 🙂
Rent Servers for Income (picks and shovels strategy)

rajesh.kalpathi Grasshopper Points: 11 More actions · Answer 8

I have been able to successfully migrate DBV files to SQL using my custom code. Please PM me for details.

paulinoh2006 Grasshopper Points: 13 More actions · Answer 9

rajesh.kalpathi - Wednesday, March 21, 2018 6:06 AM
I have been able to successfully migrate DBV files to SQL using my custom code. Please PM me for details.

Hello !
I have the same problem. Can you help me please ? I can acces the FILE.DBV