[RESOLVED] How to Read DAT Files

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May 27th, 2011, 08:43 AM
Nitesh

[RESOLVED] How to Read DAT Files

Hi Guys,

We are in the process of upgrading a clients software. I'm not sure what database their existing app uses but in the db folder there are DAT and IDX files.

I need to find a way of reading those files so I can import the data across to the new database. Can someone please advise me on how I can go about this task. Thanks
May 27th, 2011, 08:59 AM
GaryMazzone

Re: How to Read DAT Files

You can't really tell what the db is based on a file extension.

I could be using SQL Server the standard is mdf for the extension (also use ndf and ldf) but I can use pdf, sdf , zzz, dat as the extension it really means nothing.
May 27th, 2011, 09:36 AM
techgnome

Re: How to Read DAT Files

assuming they are default extenstions, they are dBase IV files... the .DAT ones are the actual data files (or tables) and the IDX files are the indexes... put them all in a folder... when you make a connection to them, connect to the FOLDER... then the names of the DAT files become the table names.
in other words: Folder = DatabaseName; DAT Files = Table Name

-tg
May 27th, 2011, 11:45 AM
jggtz

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Found in the internet

Quote:

dBase:
A major legacy of dBase is its .dbf file format, which has been adopted in a number of other applications.
dBase uses .ndx files for single indexes, and .mdx (multiple-index) files for holding between 1 and 48 indexes. Some xBase languages include compatibility with .ndx files while others use different file formats such as .ntx used by Clipper and .idx/.cdx used by FoxPro or FlagShip. Later iterations of Clipper included drivers for .ndx, .mdx, .idx and .cdx indexes.

Quote:

.DAT
Generic data file created by a specific application; typically accessed only by the application that created the file; may contain data in text or binary format; text-based DAT files can be viewed in a text editor.

Many programs create, open, or reference DAT files, including:
Microsoft Visual Studio
Corel WordPerfect
Nero ShowTime
Nullsoft Winamp
SoftVelocity Clarion
Ontrack EasyRecovery
Runtime GetDataBack
Pitney Bowes MapInfo

Quote:

.IDX
Stores an index of files used by various programs; used by search functions to speed up searches; once a hard disk, directory of files, or database is indexed, the data can be searched and sorted more efficiently.

JG
May 30th, 2011, 08:48 AM
Nitesh

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Hi Guys,

wow you guys really know your stuff. Techgnome I want to go with your advice. When you say connect, how do you mean? I prefer working with these in vb.net if possible. Can you show me how I can achieve this please
May 30th, 2011, 09:07 AM
Nitesh

Re: How to Read DAT Files

i tried creating a dsn in my odbc datatsource manager. I notice if I create a dbase one it looks for *.dbf;*.ndx;*.mdx files only. Will I be able to read the DAT files still?
May 30th, 2011, 09:37 AM
jggtz

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Maybe the old application (the one you want to upgrade) has an Export option, to text, to excel or print to disk, etc... and from that output You could do a routine of data conversion

JG
May 31st, 2011, 04:06 PM
abhijit

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Get a hex editor and open up the file in it. Usually the header information of the file will tell you what kind of file it is.
Jun 1st, 2011, 01:09 AM
Nitesh

Re: How to Read DAT Files

hi abhijit,

thanks for that. unfortunately I just get abunch of 1's and 0's. nothing conclusive that i can work with:(
Jun 1st, 2011, 06:33 AM
jggtz

Re: How to Read DAT Files

May You post/attach a smal .DAT file?

JG
Jun 1st, 2011, 08:05 AM
abhijit

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitesh

hi abhijit,

thanks for that. unfortunately I just get abunch of 1's and 0's. nothing conclusive that i can work with:(

Quote:

Originally Posted by jggtz

May You post/attach a smal .DAT file?

JG

Seconded! Please post a .DAT file. If you find it easy, use dropbox to share the file.
Jun 1st, 2011, 08:16 AM
Nitesh

1 Attachment(s)

Re: How to Read DAT Files

sure. I've attached both a DAT and IDX File.
Jun 1st, 2011, 08:24 AM
abhijit

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitesh

sure. I've attached both a DAT and IDX File.

The IDX file appears to have a signature of DBASE or FoxPro system. The DAT file is still an unknown quantity at this point.
Jun 1st, 2011, 08:25 AM
abhijit

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitesh

hi abhijit,

thanks for that. unfortunately I just get abunch of 1's and 0's. nothing conclusive that i can work with:(

Also if you are ever in doubt about a file, you might want to check out this utility
Jun 2nd, 2011, 04:54 AM
Nitesh

Re: How to Read DAT Files

wow, you are good. I think it is a DBASE database. The technician I spoke to said he vaguely remembers something about DBASE. IS there any way I can get the data of the DAT files? thanks again abhijit.
Jun 2nd, 2011, 06:52 AM
techgnome

Re: How to Read DAT Files

try changing the extension to dbf and see if that helps....if it doesn't, try putting it back to DAT and see if that does anything... or just try to connect to the DAT first, then change the extension if it doesn't work... what ever, try one, then the other.

when building the connection string, the database "name" is the path to the folder where the dbf file is... the table name is then the name of the dbf itself (w/o the extension).

-tg
Jun 3rd, 2011, 06:26 AM
Nitesh

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Hi Tg,

I tried your suggestions but renaming the files hasn't worked:(
Jun 3rd, 2011, 06:44 AM
techgnome

Re: How to Read DAT Files

bleh... I'm out of ideas... and you don't know what kind of database was being used by the system before?

-tg
Jun 3rd, 2011, 06:57 AM
Nitesh

Re: How to Read DAT Files

no prob. Thanks for trying though. Unfortunately I have no idea what the database was:(
Jun 3rd, 2011, 07:12 AM
techgnome

Re: How to Read DAT Files

What about the source code of the original app.... is it possible that the connection string (or what ever was used to connect to it) could be in there?

-tg
Jun 29th, 2011, 03:17 PM
techgnome

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Help you with what? If you have a question, post it in the appropriate forum section. If someone can then help you, they will.

-tg
Jun 29th, 2011, 03:39 PM
techgnome

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Quote:

Originally Posted by helpme2

techgnome, can i talk with you at msn-skype or yahoo ,

No...

Quote:

Originally Posted by helpme2

i think you may have answer to my question and after we get solution i 'll type it in suitable thread

Ummm... no, that's not how it works... you need to find the appropriate forum section for your question... given the question below, it probably belongs in the graphics section... you post the question and someone will then respond... either with an answer or more questions to help solve the problem. That's the way forums work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by helpme2

can't i even message you here in your personal page

I know that... I've had to turn it all off because of instances like this... I even say so in my signature... PM's are not condusive to the learning process...

Quote:

Originally Posted by helpme2

i have aquestion realted to how to read black pixel positions(x,y) of the bitamp picture
i.e. check certain (x,y) pixel if black or not
by vb forum

There... was that so hard... now copy what you wrote... go find the graphics section, and post a new thread in there with that as the question. I'll even tell you what to use for the subject line: "Need help getting pixel color" ... don't forget to also mention what version of VB you are using. It'll make a difference in the answer you get.

-tg
Jul 20th, 2011, 01:33 AM
Nitesh

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Hi Guys,

I got back to this yesterday and after googling for two hours I found something. My friend suggested I use vb6 for this task. So I googled "DAT Files vb6" I eventually found a forum suggesting it could be DBASE, FoxPro or DBISAM. Since I previously tried the first two I decided to google DBISAM.

I downloaded software called DBISAM Viewer. Tried it out and I was able to read the dat files:D. I gives me the table structure, the data in each table as well as enables me to do a sql dump of the data. It aint free though. Cost me 20 Euros but it's worth it considering all the time I spent on this previously. Now I can start importing the data across to the new database. thanks again everyone for your contributions;)
Jul 20th, 2011, 06:39 AM
techgnome

Re: [RESOLVED] How to Read DAT Files

hey hey! SCORE! Certainly sounds like it was 20Euros well spent! Small price to pay if you ask me.

-tg
Jul 20th, 2011, 09:46 AM
abhijit

Re: How to Read DAT Files

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitesh

Hi Guys,

I got back to this yesterday and after googling for two hours I found something. My friend suggested I use vb6 for this task. So I googled "DAT Files vb6" I eventually found a forum suggesting it could be DBASE, FoxPro or DBISAM. Since I previously tried the first two I decided to google DBISAM.

I downloaded software called DBISAM Viewer. Tried it out and I was able to read the dat files:D. I gives me the table structure, the data in each table as well as enables me to do a sql dump of the data. It aint free though. Cost me 20 Euros but it's worth it considering all the time I spent on this previously. Now I can start importing the data across to the new database. thanks again everyone for your contributions;)

Cool. DBISAM viewer seems like the way to go. How does it handle large files?
Jul 21st, 2011, 01:23 AM
Nitesh

Re: [RESOLVED] How to Read DAT Files

hey abhijit,

I will be getting the licence today so I can test large files. At the moment I can only read the 1st 100 records of each table with the trial version. I will post back as soon as I have some news;)
Apr 4th, 2013, 02:19 PM
krampy80

Re: [RESOLVED] How to Read DAT Files

Hi
i have too a DBISAM dat and idx file, what i cannot read. Can i ask about your dbisam viewer? I have only the limitationed version.:(
Thanks your help