[comp.databases] FoxBase ===> dBase IV

alan@ahmcs.com (Alan Mintz) (01/29/91)

Has anyone had any experience with conversion of Foxbase+ 2.1 code to
dBase IV ? Are there any utilities or texts that are oriented to a
conversion of this type ?

Why ?

We have a large Foxbase+ app that runs under DOS and SCO *NIX. We are now
attempting to run on the VAX/VMS platform, for which dBase IV is available.
For the moment, this is the avenue we intend to pursue. I am aware
that there are more appropriate databases for a VAX, but we really can't
justify the time it would take to convert a 5Mb+ application to a completely
different language.
---
< Alan H. Mintz             | Voice +1 714 980 1034 >
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< Alan H. Mintz             | Voice +1 714 980 1034 >
< Micro-Quick Systems, Inc. | FAX   +1 714 944 3995 >
< 10384 Hillside Road       | ...!uunet!ahmcs!alan  >
< Alta Loma, CA  91701 USA  | alan@mq.com           >

keithm@ashtate (Keith Mund) (01/31/91)

In article <152@ahmcs.com> alan@ahmcs.com (Alan Mintz) writes:
>Has anyone had any experience with conversion of Foxbase+ 2.1 code to
>dBase IV ? Are there any utilities or texts that are oriented to a
>conversion of this type ?
     [deleted text]
>We have a large Foxbase+ app that runs under DOS and SCO *NIX. We are now
>attempting to run on the VAX/VMS platform, for which dBase IV is available.
     [deleted text]

I converted a Fox application to dBASE IV 1.1 a few months ago using
Step IVward. Most of what was required was to convert the Fox arrays
that used square brackets [] to dBASE IV arrays with normal paranthesis
(), and to replace some cumbersome code to get the current directory and 
other things that required SYS() functions in Fox. I found the conversion
process to be fast and painless.

To save VAX time, do the conversion on a PC and simply move the data and
compiled programs (.DBO) to the VAX when it is working properly.

So as not to oversell, Step IVward was created as a conversion from 
xBASE languages to dBASE IV 1.0. It has not been upgraded to dBASE IV
1.1, so some new features of the current dBASE are not supported. The
net result is that when you go through the converted source manually, 
you can remove some of the comments provided by Step IVward and 
use the Fox code directly.

You can order Step IVward from Ashton-Tate by dialing:

    1-800-2ASHTON

Good luck. Feel free to net mail me directly for any addition questions.

Keith Mund
-- 
Keith Mund

awd@dbase.A-T.COM (Alastair Dallas) (02/02/91)

In article <152@ahmcs.com>, alan@ahmcs.com (Alan Mintz) writes:
> Has anyone had any experience with conversion of Foxbase+ 2.1 code to
> dBase IV ? Are there any utilities or texts that are oriented to a
> conversion of this type ?

Have you looked at a 3rd-party product called StepIVward?  It's from
Buzzwords, International (my old friend Rich Comeau) of Cape Girardeau, MO
(314) 334-6317.  I don't know much about it, but it purports to make 
the process easy.

I'd be interested to hear of your experiences.

/alastair/