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Pointing to a binary dat file

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    #1

    Pointing to a binary dat file

    How does one point to a binary dat file in Alpha 5. I don't need the whole file in my database, I just need to get it's data for computations. These files are fairly large binary data files of recorded physiological data that I need to do computations and keeps session statistics on, so I have to be able to access them. In other systems I have used the Blob field. I did see that you can use xbasic to access binary files. But that is nor what I really want to do. I want to point to them from inside the database from record to record.

    tom
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

    You probably need to post an example of the file and more specifics on what you want to do with it.

    Bill
    Bill Hanigsberg

    Comment

      #3
      RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

      Bill,

      The file is a data file that is produced by an external medical instrument software system we have developed. Every time the medical instrument records a patient session it records a data file of the patient's session. This file is a proprietary bianary data format. We are developing a Alpha 5 database system that will include the session data in each patient's records. All I want to do is point to the binary record and be able to call it for computations for reporting when I need it. But, I want it attached to the patient it belongs to and the session record it belongs to. So far I only see that Alpha 5 works with graphics files in these large binary formats. I see some reference in the xbasic manual to use of blobs, but there is not much to go on there.

      tom allen

      Comment

        #4
        RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

        Tom

        Memo fields save the data in blob format, so you may be able to save the info in a memo field. You probably will have to import the data to a blob variable and then save that in the memo field using xbasic. You could probably do this on a button on a form the displays the correct record.

        dim blob_var as b
        '-- Fill blob_var using file.readb() function
        ' See page 333 in the xbasic manual

        tbl = table.current()
        tbl.change_begin()
        tbl.memofield = blob_var
        tbl.change_end()

        Before you use a memo, you should search the forum on using memos. It appears this is very important data you are saving, so the integrity of the data is important. Most developers would recommend saving the memo in a dedicated table that is linked to each main record, rather that saving the data directly in same table as the rest of the record data. It sounds like that is your intent anyway.

        Jerry

        Comment

          #5
          RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

          Since you will have exact knowledge of the file's structure you may be able to use file.readb() to retreive specific information by specifying offset and number of bytes.

          Not that I've ever tried to do such a thing, of course!

          Bill
          Bill Hanigsberg

          Comment

            #6
            RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

            Jerry,

            I was hoping I could just point to the file on the hard drive instead of putting the whole file into the database. These are very big files and would slow the database down considerably.

            tom allen

            Comment

              #7
              RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

              Bill,

              I've got that parsing part down. What I haven't figured out is how I point to each session's binary data file without including the file itself in the database. I am sure there is a way to do it, but I am not so familiar with Alpha 5 as most of you are. In other languages I would just use a pointer field or a blob field or just define a variable that contains the file reference. I am just not sure how that works in Alpha 5.

              tom

              Comment

                #8
                RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

                Jerry,

                After I read your note over again and thought about it, I think I know a way to do it. I can point to the location of the file in an Alpha 5 memo field. As long as I know where it is I can call the file and parse it for computation with an ActiveX file which would be more efficient. I just needed to figure out where to put the file location data.

                All the computations can be done in C++ through an ActiveX control then the return values can be placed into fields in a data table in Alpha 5. I will let you know how it goes.

                tom allen

                Comment

                  #9
                  RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

                  Tom,

                  If you know the file and want to show some information in it on a form, report or wherever, couldn't you attach code to an record's on fetch event to calculate some value which could be displayed or made available for other calculations?

                  Bill
                  Bill Hanigsberg

                  Comment

                    #10
                    RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

                    Bill,

                    I could if I was going to put the values into a table. But I want to compute the values and then chart them and place them into the report via an ActiveX control. At least that is my plan right now. I haven't fully designed the system yet; but that is how I am seeing it now. I am new to Alpha 5 and just am not sure of its capabilities in this type of area just yet.

                    tom

                    Comment

                      #11
                      RE: Pointing to a binary dat file

                      Hello Tom,

                      I hope this isn't to simplistic, but why don't you just store the path in a character field. Put the field on a form, then in design mode, go to the properties for this field. In the Setup tab go to the Field-Type control and select 'File Select' as the type.

                      Now your user can select the correct file in a file select dialog.

                      Good luck,
                      Jim

                      Comment

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