Converting Btrieve DTA file to csv or txt

[Database Administrator]

Hi All,

I have a third party product that uses btrieve as the underlying db
engine. The product produces a number of DTA files to store user
‘Data’. I am looking for a command line utility that will allow me to
extract/export ‘Data’ to ASCII files (comma-delimited, etc.).

I have tried several tools, which can browse the DTA file, but shows
mix data. Some of the fields (columns) are shown as binary data. I
do not have any DDF file associated with structure.

Any idea how I can read these DTA files and export to either CSV, TAB
separated TEXT file or even to Access / SQL database?

Thanks in advance.
Hitendra Khatri

[Database Administrator]

For a good idea of where to start, check out our white paper on
Accessing Btrieve Files from ODBC from www.goldstarsoftware.com/press.asp.

As the paper explains, without DDF's or source code to create
definitions for the files, accessing the data in human-readable format
may be quite difficult. If you are not able to use the BUTIL option,
then you may wish to consider hiring someone to build the DDF's for you.
Goldstar Software Inc.
Pervasive-based Products, Training & Services
Bill Bach
BillBach@goldstarsoftware.com
http://www.goldstarsoftware.com
*** Next Pervasive Service & Support Class - Nov 2008 ***


HitendraKhatri@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I have a third party product that uses btrieve as the underlying db
> engine. The product produces a number of DTA files to store user
> ‘Data’. I am looking for a command line utility that will allow me to
> extract/export ‘Data’ to ASCII files (comma-delimited, etc.).
>
> I have tried several tools, which can browse the DTA file, but shows
> mix data. Some of the fields (columns) are shown as binary data. I
> do not have any DDF file associated with structure.
>
> Any idea how I can read these DTA files and export to either CSV, TAB
> separated TEXT file or even to Access / SQL database?
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Hitendra Khatri

[Database Administrator]

You will need to either obtain the DDF files from the program vendor
or you will need to build them. BtSearch 2008 can help you analyze
the structure and build the DDF files. You can download at www.nssdd.com.
It can also export to CSV format after you have created the DDF files.

Gil