lane@badger.dec.com (m lane) (07/15/86)
Greetings. Does anyone have any information on the disk file formats used by some of the more popular genealogy programs? I am in the process of re-defining the format used by my own software and I was wondering if I could make it compatible with something already being used by other people. My current disk files are sequential records. Each record is prefixed with a key-letter and contains one type of information for a particular entry. The re-definition involves changing the type and format of the information contained in a record. I have no plans to abandon the sequential record format. A quick sample: A:entry_number B:name C:date_of_birth D:place_of_birth E:father's_entry_number F:mother's " G:marriage_number:spouse's_entry_number I:marriage_number:date_of_marriage etc. I have never used any of the available genealogy programs; I have no idea what is the norm for data storage. I would like to emphasize that I am only interested in information that is available to the public and that relates to disk storage format. I do not wish to infringe on any copy- righted or otherwise protected material. The software I use is not available for purchase although I may consider making it available to individuals for comparison purposes. Mickey Lane Digital Equipment Corporation Colorado Springs, Colorado