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Nomenclature; creating folder/database

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    Nomenclature; creating folder/database

    Been using A4 for twenty years in my business on a daily basis, and am now in the beginnings of the A5V9 learning curve. I would like the answers to the following questions, having to do with creating a new database. [I will be using the A4 databases that I have developed over these many years.] My basic problem is with nomenclature and relationships of the following italicized items.

    1. When asked to create a new database in A5V9 it asks for a file name. I wish to use the name New2. The instructions also advise creating a new folder. The instructions also indicate that I can place my A4 dbf files in this new database, but the A4 databases will now be called tables, rather than databases.

    2. Is the name of the folder (New2) that I wish to create in A5V9 also the name of the database that I wish to create? Or is the folder the repository for all databases that I may create?

    3. Do I create a folder such as A5databases, into which I place all my databases that I may create, with each database bearing a different name, and each database containing its respective tables?

    4. Is the filename that is requested when creating a new database in reality the folder name?

    5. Is the name of the new database (New2) in reality the name of the folder?

    6. Do I create a new folder each time I create a new database, with each database placed in its own folder?

    Thanks in advance. Charlie

    #2
    Re: Nomenclature; creating folder/database

    Hi Charlie,

    Yes, the terminology is a little different in A5 as compared to A4.

    A4 used the term "database" to refer to what is called a "table" in A5.

    In A5 a "database" is a collection of tables, indexes, forms, scripts, etc. that are used to manage the data in the tables.

    The "folder" name can be the same as your "database" file name, or it can be something different. It is recommended that you keep each database (a collection of files - see above) in it's own folder. So, you'll have two names to assign when you set up your new database. Create a new sub-folder (Directory in A4 DOS language) somewhere on your hard disk and give it a meaningful name that relates to your database. Next, create a new database and give it a file name that is descriptive of your database and make sure it is saved inside of your new folder (directory).

    To add your A4 tables to the new database you need to COPY the table files (*,DBF) from your A4 location into the new folder you created for the A5 database. Just use the Windows Explorer and drag and drop them from one folder to the other.

    Next, open your newly created A5 database and add the tables using the menu. Once your tables are added to the new A5 database they will be under the control of A5. Do not attempt to open these table files in A4. (Make a COPY of your DBF files instead of moving them. Then you can use the old A4 table files with A4 if you want to).

    Hope this helps,

    Sean

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      #3
      Re: Nomenclature; creating folder/database

      Charlie,

      Just to add to what Sean said, the nomenclature was changed to conform to standardized database and Windows OS terminology as it has evolved. This will allow you to look at different sources of info and correspond the terminology back to Alpha.

      In case you missed it, you might want to also take a look at the section of the forum titled "Upgrading to Alpha Five from Alpha Four". There is some good info there as well.

      Also, Susan Bushs' book is also available as a PDF doc for $20. Might be a small investment for the info. I have not read it myself, but have read many favorable posts.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Nomenclature; creating folder/database

        Hi Charlie,

        Make sure you also copy the *.DBT files.

        This is most important as these are the Memo files that hold the text for the Memo fields.

        The DBF tables will note open without them.

        There is a lot of help regarding this in A5V5 area of this forum.
        Last edited by Keith Hubert; 08-20-2008, 02:43 PM.
        Regards
        Keith Hubert
        Alpha Guild Member
        London.
        KHDB Management Systems
        Skype = keith.hubert


        For your day-to-day Needs, you Need an Alpha Database!

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          #5
          Re: Nomenclature; creating folder/database

          Keith,

          I guess it depends on what version of .DBF. I was using A4v3 where there was no .FPT files, only .DBT. If I recall correctly I was able to open the table in edit mode and delete the memo type fields and then the table would open. I made new memo fields in A5 and then used an import from a CSV file to put the memo text back into the table. It wasn't straight forward but I managed to get it to work.

          Sean

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            #6
            Re: Nomenclature; creating folder/database

            Thank you all very much for the very informative replies. You have helped me tremendously in understanding the relationships. Over the many years I have read and posted here, I have always been impressed with the quality of the responses.

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