Create DBF

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hello all,
Can anyone provide me any direction on creating a DBF output from data
stored in a SQL CE database. I am querying the data through vb.net and need
to create a dbf based on my results. Is this possible?

regards,
Bill
 
There is nothing in the Compact Framework or SQL Server CE that
can export directly to a dBase file. Presuming your goal is to view data
in Excel, you can write out your data on device as CSV with some simple
VB.NET code and a SqlCeDataReader.
--
Darren Shaffer
..NET Compact Framework MVP
Principal Architect
Connected Innovation
www.connectedinnovation.com
 
Bill,

I'm testing a 3rd party product that will be available in the summer that
allows you to create and manipulate DBF files from .Net Compact Framework
apps. I have also used a cross-platform library called Codebase
(www.codebase.com) in my PocketPC apps that used DBF files for data storage.
But I also like Darren's suggestion of creating a delimited text file and
letting whoever is consuming your data create a DBF file from that. What
sort of app will be using the DBF files?

Ginny Caughey
..Net Compact Framework MVP
 
Darren/Ginny
Thank you both for your responses. The issue I have is I am replacing an
existing application(DOS hand held) with a new device(WINCE). This
application takes up data and when finished, sends it off to a server. This
server is running an application that will consume these data files. I do not
have access to the code for this server app. The files that this app consumes
are DBF format. So , my only option that I can see to continue using this
process without new user interaction, it to create the DBF on the hand held
and push it to the server ready to be processed.

regards,
Bill
 
I've run into that same issue porting batch-mode warehousing
and retail apps to WinCe/PPC, so I understand what you're
up against. I would encourage you to use SQL CE to store
your data on device, but it doesn't make sense to try and
recreate a DBF file on device, only to have to move it to the server.
Why not sych your SQL CE data to SQL Server 2000 using RDA
or merge replication? From there, your could use DTS to
extract the data into a DBF file and let your server-side
processing pick it up.
--
Darren Shaffer
..NET Compact Framework MVP
Principal Architect
Connected Innovation
www.connectedinnovation.com
 
Hi Darren,
I am using SQLCE on the device, but the idea was to replace the older units
we have with new units and do it seamlessly, with no additional workload or
cost. Using SQL 2K will require too many other variables into the
mix(License, DBA interaction, possible new hardware, etc.) Although it is a
good idea, my hands are tied by that typical "We want the world at no cost or
time" company.

Bill
 
Bill,

In that case, the only option I am aware of is to use Codebase, since the
other product I'm testing is still in beta.

Of course, if all you need to do is just create DBF files, they have a
simple format. Except for the header, which surely is documented somewhere,
they are just fixed-length files with each field having a specified width.
Take a look at the files the old system is creating now. I bet you could
duplicate that yourself without too much effort.

Ginny Caughey
..Net Compact Framework MVP
 
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