GR.AGC@isumvs.iastate.edu (Gene Collins) (04/09/90)
In the following article Aaron David Herskowitz writes: >From: aaronh@ms.uky.edu (Aaron David Herskowitz) >Subject: Writing dBase III+ Data to Files > >Would anyone here know how to "redirect" data from dBase III+ to a >file? > >I have some data in a database that I would like to put into a text >file so that I can use it in conjunction with a mail merge. > >Any suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated... > >-- >Aaron Herskowitz <=========> University of Kentucky: Unix Lab Consultant, >aaronh@ms.uky.edu _kai_ Student Government Computer Systems Manager There are two ways of extracting text data from DBASE. The first is by using the copy command as follows: .USE <DATABASE_FILE_NAME> .COPY TO <TEXT_FILE_NAME> {SDF|DELIMITED WITH DELIMITER} [FOR CONDITION] The "SDF" option will give you a file with a ".TXT" extension, having fixed length fields (padded with spaces) butted one against another with no separating delimiters. The "DELIMITED WITH" option will give you a text file which has fields separated with the specified delimiting character. The optional "FOR" clause restricts the records copied to those which match the specified conditions. The second way of producing text files is by using the set alternate command as follows: .USE <DATABASE_FILE_NAME> .SET ALTERNATE TO <TEXT_FILE_NAME> .SET ALTERNATE ON . <COMMANDS TO CAUSE RECORDS TO PRINT ON SCREEN> .SET ALTERNATE OFF The above sequence will cause DBASE to capture any information printed on the screen to the specified text file. The set alternate off command closes the text file. Hope this helps. Gene Collins, Microcomputer Consultant Iowa State University GR.AGC@ISUMVS.BITNET Disclaimer: "Views or opinions expressed are my own, and do not constitute the opinions or views of Iowa State University!"