How to Convert .dat (Btrieve data file) to SQL Server

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How to Convert .dat (Btrieve data file) to SQL Server

luhar.mitul

Mr or Mrs. 500

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November 5, 2015 at 11:04 pm

#150416

Hello all experts,
Greetings !
I need your help. I work on data-migration projects and I am responsible from getting data from legacy systems to SQL Server Database.
Presently, I am working on a new project. In this, client has given us .dat (Btrieve) data files and one excel sheet containing structure of tables. I worked around to read this .dat file using Notepad++ and come to know that data is not at all in readable format, it seems in binary format.
I would highly appreciate if any body can help me, for getting .dat files into SQL Server. We are using SQL Server 2012 for development.
Awaiting for your response.
Thanks & Regards,
Mitul

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Ken McKelvey SSCoach Points: 18768 More actions · Answer 1

luhar.mitul (11/5/2015)
Hello all experts,
Greetings !
I need your help. I work on data-migration projects and I am responsible from getting data from legacy systems to SQL Server Database.
Presently, I am working on a new project. In this, client has given us .dat (Btrieve) data files and one excel sheet containing structure of tables. I worked around to read this .dat file using Notepad++ and come to know that data is not at all in readable format, it seems in binary format.
I would highly appreciate if any body can help me, for getting .dat files into SQL Server. We are using SQL Server 2012 for development.
Awaiting for your response.
Thanks & Regards,
Mitul

Umm.. I remember working with Btrieve in the 1980's!

Btrieve is more of a record manager than a database and will hold numbers etc as binary. The data types are not held in the file; we used to define the records as C struct's.

I suspect the best approach will be to convert to Pervasive SQL first and then import into SQLServer.

http://www.pervasive.com/database/Home/Products/Btrieve.aspx

You will probably need your spread sheet to define the table structures in Pervasive SQL.

Ken McKelvey SSCoach Points: 18768 More actions · Answer 2

I have just found this link.

http://www.nomad.ee/btrieve/files/

You may be able to use some of the utilities to export from the Btrieve files without the need for Pervasive SQL.

(I presume you will need a copy of the Btrieve record manager.)

luhar.mitul Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 555 More actions · Answer 3

Dear SSC Eights!

Thank you and appreciate your quick response !

I would like to update you that, one of our server has PSQL Control Center (PSQL Version 12.00.160) installed on it.

Now, I have .dat files, excel file with table structure and PSQL.

Can you please guide me, how do I proceed further to get data from PSQL to SQL Server ?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

Mitul

michal.lisinski SSCertifiable Points: 6933 More actions · Answer 4

Hi

The trip down memory lane, I worked with Btrieve\Pervasive databases over a decade.:hehe:

Here are a few ways achieve it, please check if ddf files (data definition files) exist first.

If true, you can set up ODBC connection and transfer data between DB's. Else you can find

tool ddf periscope and create own ddf's.

Anther way: In PCC, can you Export Data to csv by right clicking the table.

Best regards

Mike

eemagliamc Valued Member Points: 73 More actions · Answer 5

I have the same problem. I will try the way offered below. Thanks a lot.