Re: Reading Or Converting a .DAT file

[Personal Opinion]

DOS file extensions were never word of god, but merely suggestions and eye queues. The actual substance or format of the information within the .DAT file may not be compatible with anything. It could be completely proprietary.

On the other hand, it may be simple fixed length "user defined data type". Visual Basic has the ability to open ANY DOS file and let you at least look at it. If you can figure out the format, you can re-format to your hearts content.

Mark

> Miracidia wrote:
>
> I have a number of data files from an old program. They are,
> .DAT, .IX, .SAV, .BGI, .FMT, .PDS, & .CHR files
>
> They are from a program called, InFocus made by Tiana corp back in
> 1992. InFocus is a cookie cutter data entry program used in the
> photograpy business. It has a number of modules where you imput in
> information.
>
> I've tried the following suggestions:
>
> * Changing the extention name to view it in another program.
> * Getting ParseRat and trying to see the data.
> * Using an ODBC connection to see it in another program (access,
> excel) or just trying to open up the file in one of these programs.
> * Using a text program to look at it. It's just garbage.
>
> None of these have worked.
>
> Is there another way to look at and/or import viable data (in another
> program) from a .DAT (et al) file and be able to view it in its
> existing form in a current program. A current program could be MS
> Access, Paradox, Foxbase, Dbase, Oracle, Gupta, Erwin?
> I've got data in this old format and it is useless to me now. Is
> there a way to do it or do I have to recreate the data manually?
>
> Please "enlighten" me and thanks for any help.
>
> Dave

-- 
Sincerely,


--
Mark Brown
Manager, Continuing Engineering
Pick Systems, Inc.   USA



     "Standards are great! There are so *many* of them to choose from!"