re: Converting dBase to Windows

Using the Tao ExDOS 2009 software, you would be able to run dBase IV on Windows 7 even without a Windows XP virtual mode. As long, that is, that you have the 32-bit version of W7 and not the 64.

re: Converting dBase to Windows

Simple problem - simple solution.

Download and install VirtualPC from Microsoft (it works under Windows 7 also). It's also free.

Create a DOS Virtual HDD

Copy your Dbase files and applications onto this Virtual HDD.

Away you go.

Been doing this with my old Dbase apps for years (and everyone thinks it's in Access or something)

BTW - this allows you to run ANY DOS based program like Lotus 123, Multiplan etc. If it's not broken don't fix it

Hope this helps all the old war-horses out there.

(Thanks Craig. -PZ)

re: Converting dBase to Windows

Disclaimer: Don't know how much help this is.

There was a compiler available for dBase3 called Clipper, which turned your dBase programs into executables. No idea if it is still extant or if it would work for dBase4.

If you could find a copy that would compile your dBase then you could run it in a DOS window in Windows.

Failing that, you could import your data files to Access, but you would then need to write the program to handle the data.

You could also export the data to a comma-delineated file, in which case you could put it into any database you wanted.

The overall problem is that you can get your data into a modern Windows based databases, but you will need to write the data handling code from scratch.

I loved dBase. A couple of k of code and it would do anything any of these modern, non-web based databases will.

As an aside, and I don't know if people still use it, Visual Basic is far more powerful than Access.

(Ah. Memories. -PZ)

re: Converting dBase to Windows

Paradox for windows might be the answer as it was owned by the same company that produced dbase (Borland). Paradox was superior to Access when it was first released.

(It's still an ancient product Jim. -PZ)

re: Converting dBase to Windows

As a dBase programmer from wayback, the only suitable competitor back then was Access as Filemaker was not a fully relational database which was the strength of dBase. I only use Access now and am unfamiliar with other competitors, but be prepared for a)a steep learning curve (all of your code will be redundant) and b)a long session re creating your relationships.

Also, be aware that terminology has changed to a more industry standard now. What was a "Database" in dBase is actually a "Table" with the "Database" label being a reference to a group of related tables.

re: Converting dBase to Windows

I used to use dBase3+ running under DOS for years as a customer database, and it stored comprehensive details of around 1,000 customers. I had the same problem as Harry, when I needed to hand the customer list on to someone else. MS Excel (spreadsheet) had an option to import dBase files, and that's what I did. I'm fairly sure that MS Access (database) had a similar option to import dBase files. I know that for my small database of 1,000 customers, the spreadsheet option worked fine.
Regards,
Nicholas McDonald (Transferring the data is easy. dBase was also a programming language so many people have dBase apps that can't simply be "imported". -PZ)

re: Converting dBase to Windows

I 'Converted' some GWBasic programs to Open Office spreadsheet some years ago, they were quote building programs. Didn't find an off the shelf converter so it was done longhand, sorting out formulae and entering them by hand. Did the same with my own Fortran-IV shaft and bearing programs as well. It worked but I won't bother again, Too much PT.