Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Any idea what database that could be ?


Pip4o
October 19th, 2009, 09:15 AM
I have a client with some old program running on his computer.We need to export some data but his program is not capable of doing that so i need to do that manually from his database files.I can not open this files with any program i tried.This is the file opened with notepad:
It should be some column based file and anything i need is in similar file.The real file is much bigger but with same structure.I can regonize some data fileds between all the strange simbols but this is not enough.Any ideas ?

WBDB    ц Code  NomCode  NomKey  Name < QuantAvail  QuantCrit  Measure  Curr_PurchaseCost Curr_SalePrice SalePrice  RoundUp  Durability  DurWarn  Status  Borrow  SellFract  DisableDiscount  VoucherForbidden  DefSupplier  CashName  TaxGroup  UserCashPrice  Wrappage  Created_TimeStamp  LastUpd_TimeStamp  Note P SPDB  35  Ѓ€ђЂ Ѓ“ђѓЂ‘ЉЋ 0.500 ЄЈ 333333у? @ @  яяяяЄ®«®ЉЋ€Ђ±  *
Ч*  Ш  ЏЂ‘’…’ ЌЂђЋ„…Ќ Ў° $@ 3@ 3@  яяяяІ°*«*«  :7Ш  Ш   ЎЁ°* 0.500 §*Ј®°Є* ЄЈ @ @ @  яяяяЎЁ°* 0.500 §*Ј®°Є*  -Ш   ‹іЄ**Є* "‘¬ї¤®ў®" ЄЈ @ @ @  яяяя‹іЄ**Є* "‘¬ї¤®ў®"  3  Ш/  Ш  *±¤ Їґ  Љ*©¬* **°®¤** ЄЈ @ I@ I@  яяяяЉ*©¬* **°®¤** 
  Ш(  Ш

George1111
October 19th, 2009, 06:43 PM
At least you seem to have Field Names

The way data is stored will probably be in variable length records with keys / indexes linking the records and fields - this is a nasty challenge to deal with - probably impossible (unless you are stuck on the Moon and its the only way to get back)

There must be some reports you can run (possibly a few to get the info you want), and direct the output to a file as text, rather than directly to the printer (look at Windows Printer Properties)

There are various tools referred to a "screen scraping" tools which can read info from the screen an create text output from this.

This would be the last way I would try to use as it is more complex and may require the purchase of a special tool.

Lastly - how is it that the people have no idea what system they are using ?
Does no one support them - is the company finished - what was the company called ?

Get a snippet of info and Google it - you may be surprised what turns up. While the company no longer exists, there may be other companies still supporting this type of database.

Pip4o
October 20th, 2009, 12:55 AM
The manufacturer exists, but won't cooperate. Do not ask why! :)
I thought about the idea with text file from the LPT port.Will try that perhaps.Ty.

George1111
October 20th, 2009, 05:36 AM
Another tip is to use a Hex Editor to open files like the one you posted -rather than using Notepad or similar. (which stops reading when it hits unrecognisable characters)

With a hex editor you always get to see the whole file which may give you more clues on extracting the data - and also perhaps finding out the real name of the database maker.

Search for a hex editor in Google - I found a free one years ago - I'm sure you can find one too.

Pip4o
October 20th, 2009, 01:34 PM
Thanks a lot.I will try with HEX editor.i think i have one in my archives.