About This Manual
Who Should Read This Manual
Conventions
Getting Started with DDF Builder
DDF Builder Overview
Why Use DDF Builder
What DDF Builder is Not
Why Not Use PCC?
What You Need to Know
Other Helpful Information
Transactional Access
Relational Access
What To Do Next
Disable Security
Components of DDF Builder
Log File
User Documentation
Tutorial Files
Starting DDF Builder
Starting DDF Builder from a Command Line
Windows
Linux and macOS
Clearing the DDF Builder Cache
Where to Go From Here
Using DDF Builder
DDF Builder Concepts
Terminology Review
Security
Previous Database and DDF Versions
Scalable SQL v3.xx and Earlier
Btrieve v5.x and Earlier
DDF Builder Error Detection and Correction
Example 1 - Index Inconsistencies
Example 2 - Record Length Mismatch
Example 3 - Flag Inconsistencies
Saving Original and Modified Definitions
Table Definition Editor Pages
Table Page
Raw Data View
Grid Data View
Indexes Page
Alternate Collating Sequence (ACS) Files
Preview Page
Statistics Page
SQL View Page
Legacy Nulls in DDF Builder
True Nulls in DDF Builder
Working with True Nulls
Creating Nullable Fields
GUI Reference
Welcome Page
How to Access
Data Sources Explorer
Btrieve File Editor
How to Access
Features
Restrictions
Table Definition Editor
How to Access
Features
Restrictions
Table Page
How to Access
Raw Data View
Grid Data View
How the Two Views Work Together
Indexes Page
How to Access
Features
Restrictions
Preview Page
How to Access
Features
Statistics Page
How to Access
Features
SQL View Page
How to Access
Features
Restrictions
Add Database
Check Table Consistency
How to Access
Features
Error Message Tips
Copy SQL Definition
How to Access
Features
Export Btrieve Schema
How to Access
Features
Import Btrieve Schema
How to Access
Features
Add Data Path
How to Access
Features
Change Associated Data File
How to Access
Features
Btrieve Types
How to Access
Features
Definition Errors
How to Access
Features
Definition Errors List
Original Definition
How to Access
Features
DDF Builder Tasks
General Tasks
Accessing User Documentation
DDF Builder Log File
Tasks Initiated from Data Sources Explorer
Btrieve Files
Data
Database
Data Sources Explorer
Online Help
SQL Queries
SQL Tables
DDF Builder Tutorials
Using the DDF Builder Tutorials
Tutorial 1 Overview
Tutorial 2 Overview
Before You Begin
Backup Your Files
Locate the Tutorial Files
Create Data Source Names (DSN)
Tutorial 1 – Creating Table Definitions with DDF Builder
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Create a PSQL Database
Open an Existing Btrieve File
Review DDF Builder’s Findings
A Note About Nulls
Define the Record Fields
Name a Field
Create a Nullable Column in the raw data view
Split a Column in the grid data view
Create a Column from the raw data view
Change a Non-Nullable Column to Nullable in the grid data view
Review the Index Information
Name an Index
Preview the Defined Data
Conclusion
Tutorial 2 – Modifying Table Definitions with DDF Builder
Scenario
Goals
Lesson 1 – Working with v3.00 DDFs
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Open the Btrieve File
Understanding the Warning Message
How To Convert My Files
Conversion Notes
Alternating Collating Sequences
Table Definitions That Require Using PCC and DDF Builder
Conclusion
Lesson 2 – Working with Pre v6.x File Formats
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Open the Btrieve File
Understanding the Warning Message
View the Log File
How To Rebuild My Files
Where To Go From Here
Conclusion
Lesson 3 – Invalid Data Types and Sizes
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Look for Inconsistencies
Understanding the Errors
Invalid Type and Size
Review Data Types and Sizes
Make the Final Changes
Save the Table Definition
Conclusion
Lesson 4 – Overlapping Column Definitions
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Open the Btrieve File
Look for Inconsistencies
Understanding the Errors
Accept or Reject Changes
Save the Table Definition
Conclusion
Lesson 5 – File/Field Flag Inconsistencies
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Open the Btrieve File
Look for Inconsistencies
Understanding the Errors
Accept or Reject Changes
Save the Table Definition
Conclusion
Lesson 6 – Index Inconsistencies
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Open the Btrieve File
Look for Inconsistencies
Understanding the Errors
Name the Index
Save the Table Definition
Conclusion
Lesson 7 – Variable Length Record Mismatch
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Open the Btrieve File
Look for Inconsistencies
Understanding the Errors
Define the Unknown Field
Save the Table Definition
Conclusion
Lesson 8 – Record Length Mismatch
Scenario
Goals
What You Need to Know
Open the Btrieve File
Look for Inconsistencies
Understanding the Errors
Define the Field
Save the Definition
Conclusion
About This Manual
DDF Builder Tutorials
ddfbuilder_main:Using DDF Builder%DDF Builder is a utility for intermediate and advanced users that provides various editors and views for working on dictionary files.
ddfbuilder_data_src_explorer:Data Sources Explorer%Data Sources Explorer displays a tree of objects, such as databases, data paths, Btrieve files, and SQL tables, for you to view and manage.
ddfbuilder_btrieve_file_editor:Btrieve File Editor%Btrieve File Editor creates the file and key specification for a new data file.
ddfbuilder_table_def_editor:Table Definition Editor%Table Definition Editor creates new or changes existing schemas for SQL metadata.
ddfbuilder_table_page:Table Page%The Table page in Table Definition Editor provides two metadata views – raw and grid. The raw view displays information in the Btrieve file, while the grid view displays it as a SQL table.
ddfbuilder_raw_data_view:Raw Data View%The raw data view shows both the hexadecimal and ASCII values of data records.
ddfbuilder_grid_data_view:Grid Data View%The grid data view shows the schema structure of a table as a grid of rows and columns. Each field is represented in a row on the grid. Each row consists of cells that show the attributes for each field. Most of the attributes are editable and can be saved as changes to the schema.
ddfbuilder_indexes_page:Indexes Page%The Indexes Page displays read-only information about an index, with the exception of the SQL index name, which you can change in this view.
ddfbuilder_preview_page:Preview Page%The Preview page shows file data in a readable layout of columns and rows.
ddfbuilder_statistics_page:Statistics Page%The Statistics page displays a read-only view of the file and key specifications for a data file.
ddfbuilder_sql_view_page:SQL View Page%The SQL View page displays the SQL statement needed to create the current table definition.
ddfbuilder_dbcheck:Check Table Consistency%DDF Builder can check the consistency of a table by using validation rules to compare a physical data file against its metadata.
ddfbuilder_copy_sql_def:Copy SQL Definition%The Copy SQL Definition wizard creates a new SQL table by using the schema of an existing SQL table as its source.
ddfbuilder_export_btrieve_schema:Export Btrieve Schema%The Export Btrieve Schema wizard creates an XML file that specifies the schema of a source data file. You can use this XML file to create a new Btrieve file based on the structure of an existing one.
ddfbuilder_import_btrieve_schema:Import Btrieve Schema%The Import Btrieve Schema wizard creates an empty data file based on the XML schema exported from another data file.
ddfbuilder_add_data_path:Add Data Path%Data paths represent a location on physical storage where the data files reside. At least one path must be set for each database.
ddfbuilder_btrieve_types:Btrieve Types%The Btrieve types view displays the Btrieve data types and sizes and the corresponding SQL data types to which they map.
ddfbuilder_definition_errors:Definition Errors%If an error occurs, the Definition Errors window opens.
ddfbuilder_original_definition:Original Definition%If a table definition change occurs, the Original Definition window retains the previous definition until the new one is saved.
ddfbuilder_tutorials:DDF Builder Tutorials%The DDF Builder tutorials guide you through examples of common tasks.