Xbase I/O - transfer data between dbf file and array

[RTFC 353]

This is basically two functions (plus supporting infrastructure):

_Xbase_ReadToArray($filename, Byref $array, [...])

_Xbase_WriteFromArray($filename, Byref $array, [...])

that transfer all data from one container to the other. Various optional formatting parameters are detailed in the Remarks section of the script; a small test script plus dbf test file (the latter from the (free) Harbour distribution, see here) are provided for your entertainment. Note that the $array variable has to exist already, as it's parsed ByRef, but it does not have to have the correct dimensions.

This is pure AutoIt (no SQL, no ADO, no dlls, no external dependencies).

The Xbase specification was gleaned from here.

There is no support (either currently or planned) for a GUI, or additional functionality; it's just a simple data interface I needed for my MatrixFileConverter for Eigen4Autoit (link in signature), that might be of use to others (see MatrixFileConverter.au3 for an implementation example).

One thing to keep in mind is AutoIt's array size limitation (16 MB elements); Xbase files can be considerably larger. On the other hand, AutoIt arrays are less restricted in their number of columns than (certain versions of) Xbase (see script for details). Appropriate error messages will inform you when you've hit these buffers.

Xbase.v0.8.7z third beta release

Edited March 14, 2020 by RTFC

[kaisies 20]

AMAZING THANK YOU.  I am working with a dBaseIII struct files that I cannot change, but all I needed to do was read them.  This does EXACTLY THAT PERFECTLY.  Been googling all day for some sample code that could at least get me started, and this does that and more!!!

             

Edited October 16, 2014 by kaisies

[RTFC 353]

@kaisies: You're very welcome; glad to hear you find it useful.

[ldub 0]

How to read memo fields ?

Thanks

[RTFC 353]

Sorry, Idub, memo fields are not supported at this time (I've never used them myself, and won't be adding them here). My main purpose in writing these functions was to facilitate import/export of large numeric datasets. Anything else they can do is just extra. Unfortunately, memo fields are not part of this package. There are however other dbase/Xbase-based example scripts to be found on this forum, using ADO, SQL/ite or external dll (although >the dll-based script didn't support memo fields either, last time I checked). Perhaps you'll have better luck with one of those.

Sorry I can't help you.

[RTFC 353]

Beta version 0.8 released.

Bug fix: trailing spaces padding in character fields.

[mLipok 994]

Could you please upload your UDF here:

https://www.autoitscript.com/forum/files/category/8-databases-and-web-connections/

 

[mLipok 994]

I just added your UDF to AutoIt Wiki here:
https://www.autoitscript.com/wiki/User_Defined_Functions#Databases_and_web_connections

 

[RTFC 353]

@mLipok: Excellent, many thanks.