I need to extract from an old DOS point of sale program the data base of stock. I cannot remember how to do this. If I can get it in text I am good.
Assuming that you are not able to export the data from the
original point of sale application, which is obviously the
best choice...
1)
Try to open the file(s) with Microsoft Excel (make sure that all of Excel's input conversion filters have been installed and enabled).
Most database files are organized as a set of (nested)
two dimensional data tables, which can be individually
imported into Excel as spread sheets.
Excel is very good at detecting and converting database tables.
Other spread sheets such as Lotus 123, or Quatro pro may also
be able to do this.
2) Microsoft Access may also be capable of importing
and converting the entire database.
3) Heavy duty data-base modeling suites, such as ER-Win
by Computer Associates (CA) may also be able to import
and export the database.
4) If the files are in the open *.dbf format, then I have the binary
file specifications, which can be used to decipher the files.
5) The files may also be simple tables, which are TAB, SPACE,
or COMMA (etc.) delimited, and you should be able to recover
these with a simple notepad editor or uuedit.
6) Most DOS programs (not all) can also be run under Windows
XP, using the command prompt:
START ==> All programs ==> Accessories ==>
Command Prompt.
========================================
Most importantly, we need to know the name of the application
that created the files, or see a sample of the file, to give you
further advice.
Martin
Posted on May 08, 2008
Hi,
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The challenge was to get the data from an old PC that only had DOS. The extension on the data file was RAN which was specifically for this DOS based program. I did find someone who new how to retrieve the data in the program and save it in ascii so that I could then go to the directory in DOS and save it. I then was able to remove it from the PC and open it in excel in the new PC to manipulate it for the new POS program. What I couldn't remember was the DOS commands, but I did find them eventually. Thanks.
What's the name of the program and the file extensions. It's pretty easy really. Gosh I love DOS. I miss it!
Jeff
First, try opening the file or files with Wordpad. Very often the data will be visible (with some blobs), and can be extracted that way. If this shows nothing readable, the file will have been encoded by the program which wrote it.
How many files are there, and what are their names (and especially the suffix - after the dot)? This may allow you to identify a standard file type, and thus find a method for decoding the content.
If you get that information to me, I can investigate.
Even better, you could send the files to me.
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