DB Master Conversion


This  program  (written in GFA BASIC) will take a DB  Master  file 
(FILE.ONE)  and convert it to two new files (leaving the  original 
untouched).   One of the new files will be named DBM.TXT will be a 
text  file  that  can then be examined and modified  with  a  text 
editor.   The  other file will be named DBM.DIF and will be a  DIF 
file for import to another database program.

The  program will ask for the name of the file to convert and  you 
must enter the full name PLUS extension i.e. DBMFILE.ONE.  It will 
then  ask how many fields there are in a single  record.   Include 
ALL field types whether they are numeric, text, or date.  The last 
question  will be the desired field delimiter.   Pick a  character 
that  would  NEVER be found in your data (for example tilde  ~  or 
backslash  \).   Make  sure that the character you choose  can  be 
"found"  by your text editor so that you can do a  "global  search 
and replace" (you may want to replace all field delimiters with  a 
"carriage return line feed" sequence for ease of editing).

To read the DIF file into your database program,  first tell  your 
program  what  to expect for field  and  record  delimiters.   You 
already  know what the field delimiter is (you chose it)  and  the 
record delimiter is CR LF (carriage return line feed).

KNOWN ANOMALIES

The  first several records of the database may  contain  "garbage" 
(not  corrupted data ..  just some extra junk that is appended  to 
the beginning of a DB Master file).  Simply delete those records.

For some unknown reason sometimes part of the data from field  one 
will end up appended to the beginning of field two.   Simply  edit 
the record.

It  ain't perfect but it's still a lot faster than reentering  all 
of your records by hand!

Brad Hanscom