Re: Decoding a propietary database

Christopher Waguespack <_at_teche.net> wrote:

>As a personal project, i'm trying to figure out how to write a front end
>for an older proprietary database format. I have the db, and with a hex
>editor I can see some small portion of the datasets and layout for the
>information. Any suggestions on how i would proceed to "open up" the db
>format?

     First of all, see if it has already been done. Post what extensions the data uses. Try a conversion program.

     Failing that, in your place, I would try to determine the logical record length and then go after metadata (with the first look being for a header). Next comes determining the fields (if that isn't in the metadata).

     Rather general advice, yes, but there are too many ways to set up a file format.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

Computerese Irregular Verb Conjugation:

     I have preferences.
     You have biases.
     He/She has prejudices.