.NET DBF Database connectivity issue

Question

Hey all, really bashing my head against a keyboard here, any information or pointing in the right direction would be fantastic.

I have a set of .DBF files with .MDX indexes. They're supposed to be dBASE version 7, but the Borland BDE only connects to 5.0 reliably from what I've found.

I can get connected using the IV and 5.0 connection string as follows:

Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=C:\IDS\PowerSell\MyData\;Extended Properties=dBASE 5.0;

The schema I get is off from what the actual schema of the table is, and I have to run awkward chopped up queries, the results of just come of the problems I'm getting:

1. select just fine on most columns but some columns don't work
2. insert if I leave on some columns otherwise I get errors
3. update if I don't provide a where clause

Does anyone have any insight into connecting and using DBF files with an MDX index and .NET? Most likely dBASE 7 files?

Thanks,

Answer 1

Have you tried a System.Data.Odbc driver (not OldeDb) ?

All in all, be careful. I remember 1 product (BDE or ODBC) retracting support for FoxPro database, saying "updating is not certified" or something. All in all, those 'newer' DBF formats usually bring no joy, just incompatibilities. You may want to investigate what version/level ODBC drivers you've got versus what you need.

If you can, export the data and run to another format.

Answer 2

The Advantage Database (ADS/Advantage database Server) from Sybase is supposed to work well with Foxpro and earlier dBase files and is a currently supported product marketted as an ideal replacement for the BDE (Borland Database Engine), check out www.sybase.com/advantage