Converting PFS to Access
So I've managed to stumble upon a fun one.
A client is using a program named PFS, which was written in 1984 to store their data. A recent upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit has made it apparent to them that they need to upgrade.
It would be awesome to port the data over to Access instead of having to manually move the data over (there's a lot). After some furious Googling, the best I've seen is that PFS v2.0 will export to dbase III, and from there I can covert it to Access. The biggest issue is that this appears to be PFS v1.0, which means no export function.
I am able to view some of the data if I open the database flat file in Notepad++, however there is no easy way to parse the data as far as I can tell.
So DB gurus. Let me know if you can think of anything that will help get the data converted. Thanks a ton!
A client is using a program named PFS, which was written in 1984 to store their data. A recent upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit has made it apparent to them that they need to upgrade.
It would be awesome to port the data over to Access instead of having to manually move the data over (there's a lot). After some furious Googling, the best I've seen is that PFS v2.0 will export to dbase III, and from there I can covert it to Access. The biggest issue is that this appears to be PFS v1.0, which means no export function.
I am able to view some of the data if I open the database flat file in Notepad++, however there is no easy way to parse the data as far as I can tell.
So DB gurus. Let me know if you can think of anything that will help get the data converted. Thanks a ton!
Rey Obrero (Capricorn1)
if you can save the records in a text file, there is a chance that it can be imported to an Access table, but it may not be a direct importation of the records.
ASKER
I can't export to a text file, but I can print.
From what I understand, I should be able to emulate a DOS printer and then have the output as a text file. Thoughts?
From what I understand, I should be able to emulate a DOS printer and then have the output as a text file. Thoughts?
well i guess if that is the only way, then it will be worth to try.
ASKER
I'm doing it now, but there aren't any clear delimiters.
There has to be a way to access the database. After all this was written in 1984, it cannot be that complicated.
I've loaded the database in a hex editor as well to see if I can figure out where the fields are defined and then work from there. Any additional input that you guys can provide would be great though.
After all, I can't be the only person who's had to deal with this, right?
There has to be a way to access the database. After all this was written in 1984, it cannot be that complicated.
I've loaded the database in a hex editor as well to see if I can figure out where the fields are defined and then work from there. Any additional input that you guys can provide would be great though.
After all, I can't be the only person who's had to deal with this, right?
sorry, but i have never been unlucky to encounter the kind of db you have in your hands right now.. ;-)
if you can see the field definition, then it will be a walk in the park.
if you can see the field definition, then it will be a walk in the park.
Can you post a screen shot of what the data looks like in Notepad+? Can you print it to a PDF file, using the Adobe Acrobat printer, and then try to import it from the PDF into Word? That import (in my experience) doesn't get everything correct, but it might be close enough to be some use.
We've successfully used WordPort for this.
Check out it's successor FileMerlin:
http://www.file-convert.com/fmn_ff.htm
/gustav
Check out it's successor FileMerlin:
http://www.file-convert.com/fmn_ff.htm
/gustav
Better import into SQL server instead of MDB, that allows network sharing and lots of fun with data...
BTW who makes PFS database?
BTW who makes PFS database?
ASKER
First of all, thanks to everyone for all the help so far, this is huge.
Helen_Feddema, I've attached a screenshot of what Notepad++ is displaying at present. What's extremely odd is that several weeks ago it displayed legible characters. Or in other words is was pretty much plain text, with random characters between entries. Now whenever I open the database files, the output resembles what I've attached. Any idea what could of caused this? I've tried switching the document encoding, but it was relatively fruitless.
Cactus_data, I've tried that utility, but it refuses to recognize the formats for the databases. Any suggestions? Seeing as how you've done this before, any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.
Gheist, the PFS database is actually a database from pfs:File. PFS was an office suite of sorts written by the now defunct Software Publishing Corporation.
notepadExample.PNG
Helen_Feddema, I've attached a screenshot of what Notepad++ is displaying at present. What's extremely odd is that several weeks ago it displayed legible characters. Or in other words is was pretty much plain text, with random characters between entries. Now whenever I open the database files, the output resembles what I've attached. Any idea what could of caused this? I've tried switching the document encoding, but it was relatively fruitless.
Cactus_data, I've tried that utility, but it refuses to recognize the formats for the databases. Any suggestions? Seeing as how you've done this before, any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.
Gheist, the PFS database is actually a database from pfs:File. PFS was an office suite of sorts written by the now defunct Software Publishing Corporation.
notepadExample.PNG
We used WordPort to convert both databases and documents, and it even kept the local character set.
I would contact the folks at au1@acii.com and raise the issue.
Providing a sample of your data would probably be helpful.
/gustav
I would contact the folks at au1@acii.com and raise the issue.
Providing a sample of your data would probably be helpful.
/gustav
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