How to Use the Convert Source Code to Debug Convert Error

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The converter application (CONVERT.APP) is invoked when you open a FoxPro version 2.6 project, form, report, or label in Visual FoxPro. CONVERT.APP is written in Visual FoxPro, and the source code is included with the Professional Edition of Visual FoxPro. It is located in the TOOLS\CONVERT directory. To edit it, open the CONVERT.PJX project. The main program is CONVERT.PRG.

Following are two complementary techniques you can use to isolate the source of errors you might receive while converting files to the Visual FoxPro version 3.0 format.

Use the CONVERT.H Header File

CONVERT.H is a header file that contains constant definitions. In particular, CONVERT.H defines the strings that correspond to the error messages the converter generates. If you receive an error message and want to locate the source in the application, locate the string in CONVERT.H. Once you have the constant corresponding to the string, search for it in CONVERT.PRG.

By looking for the constant in CONVERT.H, you can also discover whether the error is generated by the converter or generated during run time.

View the Source Code of the Converter at Run Time

You can also view the source code of the converter application at run time. By default, the converter application turns DEBUG and TRACE off. To be able to access the Trace and Debug windows while the Converter is running, locate L_DEBUG and L_DEBUGSUSPEND in CONVERT.H. Change them from false (.F.) to true (.T.). Then you can open the CONVERT.PRG program in the Trace window to set a breakpoint.

Modify the _CONVERT system variable to point to the CONVERT.PRG located in TOOLS\CONVERT. Ensure that the source code is available, and set a path to it so you can gain access to it in the Trace window. For example, use this code:

   _CONVERT="C:\VFP\CONVERT.PRG"
   SET PATH TO TOOLS\CONVERT