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balrog666 · 8th September 2005, 02:27 PM

Does anybody know a quick and direct method to read from or write to random records of a dbase file via FORTRAN or C (particularly using the WATCOM open source compilers)?

The binary file structure includes a header based on the record description and then fixed size records.

I'm currently accessing files in either single byte or large-block direct access mode and parsing the records internally. Gets to be very slow or tedious with large files and I have to keep flushing the stupid Windows buffers to keep the operating system from losing track.

I sure there are better ways to do this (say in assembly or FOXBASE or MS odbc or some specific ungodly language/link) but they won't necessarily mesh with the rest of my programs. Also, I am not well versed enough in assembly to write it myself and don't want to rely on linking an unknown black box program into an important machine.

Am I nuts or what?

Just wondering. Thanks for reading.

kevin · 9th September 2005, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by balrog666
Does anybody know a quick and direct method

I found a Java class for working with dBase files.

http://www.americancoders.com/xBaseJ/

might also look at codebase, they support dbase files.

http://www.codebase.com/products/features/

Haven't used either one (I was looking for a Perl Module for accessing the files but didn't turn one up in a quickie search)

balrog666 · 9th September 2005, 08:14 PM

Thank you! Codebase looks like exactly what I want!

I can't wait to try it out.

8th September 2005, 02:27 PM	#1
balrog666 Eigenmode: Cynic Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,545	*.dbf random access read/write Does anybody know a quick and direct method to read from or write to random records of a dbase file via FORTRAN or C (particularly using the WATCOM open source compilers)? The binary file structure includes a header based on the record description and then fixed size records. I'm currently accessing files in either single byte or large-block direct access mode and parsing the records internally. Gets to be very slow or tedious with large files and I have to keep flushing the stupid Windows buffers to keep the operating system from losing track. I sure there are better ways to do this (say in assembly or FOXBASE or MS odbc or some specific ungodly language/link) but they won't necessarily mesh with the rest of my programs. Also, I am not well versed enough in assembly to write it myself and don't want to rely on linking an unknown black box program into an important machine. Am I nuts or what? Just wondering. Thanks for reading.
	__________________ A person who won't think has no advantage over one who can't think. - (paraphrased) Mark Twain Diversity--When all colors and creeds believe exactly as liberals want them to. Or Else! -Coyote

9th September 2005, 06:11 PM	#2
kevin Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,666	*Re: .dbf random access read/write** Quote: Originally posted by balrog666 Does anybody know a quick and direct method I found a Java class for working with dBase files. http://www.americancoders.com/xBaseJ/ might also look at codebase, they support dbase files. http://www.codebase.com/products/features/ Haven't used either one (I was looking for a Perl Module for accessing the files but didn't turn one up in a quickie search)
kevin Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,666

9th September 2005, 08:14 PM	#3
balrog666 Eigenmode: Cynic Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,545	Thank you! Codebase looks like exactly what I want! I can't wait to try it out.
	__________________ A person who won't think has no advantage over one who can't think. - (paraphrased) Mark Twain Diversity--When all colors and creeds believe exactly as liberals want them to. Or Else! -Coyote