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SQL: Convert dbase to sql

Hi:
After a little primer on SQL from Todd Farmer, I am wondering how software vendors convert a dbase database into SQl. I work with the dbf's and mix them with Access but when this fellow was demonstrating his software, I asked how he accessed the dbf's. He said they convert it to SQL.

So, my questions are:
1.) How can one convert dbf to sql on a (almost) live basis? I know White Town Software sells a converter but can it be done on the fly, instantly?
2.) Does the (1) conversion and the (2) querying occur sequentially in that order?

from the "Educating Charlie Project",

Charlie

mistaeverly

I'm not sure I entirely understand your question. Dbase is a database, while SQL is a language.
I guess the question is, what are you trying to do with the "SQL" once you get it out of dbase?

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david_levine

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cepes

ASKER

david_levine:
Sorry, I'm botching up the terminology. I guess what the vendor I spoke to was doing was converting the dbase database to a SQL Server database.

Does that type of conversion take a lot of mapping? I assume wonce the conversion method is set, the conversion can be done on a timed basis.

I'm nearing the end of my question!!!

Thanks

Charlie

david_levine

Depends what is in dBase. If it's just the tables, then it's not a huge effort. If it's an application built in dBase, that is much more of an effort.

cepes

ASKER

David:
It's just tables.

david_levine

There are tools to do it though I haven't yet found a free one. Most are commercial products with a free trial which limits the number of what can be converted. For example, there's http://www.convert-in.com/dbf2sql.htm or http://www.easyfrom.net/ and I'm sure others. Depending on the size of the tables and amount of data, it might just be quicker/cheaper to do it from scratch.