PRB: Accessing Visual FoxPro 3.0 Files from Visual Basic 4.0

MORE INFORMATION

FoxPro 3.0 Databases and their associated linked tables are read-only in the 32-bit edition of Visual Basic version 4.0. The 16-bit edition of Visual Basic version 4.0 cannot read files in the Visual FoxPro version 3.0 format with the .dbc or .dbf file name extension. FoxPro creates three types of files that Visual Basic can open through Data Access Methods.

• Databases: Has the file name extension .dbc.
• Linked Tables: Has the file name extension .dbf.
• Unlinked Table: Also has the file name extension .dbf.

When you set the Connect property of the Data control to FoxPro 3.0, clicking the down arrow of the DatabaseName property displays a dialog box that looks for files with the .dbf file name extension. The Data control assumes that FoxPro 3.0 files are unlinked tables, even if the file is a linked table or a database.

If you get the error, "Cannot Access the Bound FoxPro 3.0 bound DBF file," the Data control is attempting to access a linked table as a stand alone table. Follow the steps shown in the Workaround section to eliminate this error message.

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Start the 32-bit version of Visual Basic 4.0, or if it is already running, click New Project on the File menu.
2. From the toolbox, add a Data control button to the Form1 form.
3. Click the Connect property of the Data Control and then click the down arrow to select FoxPro 3.0.
4. Click the DatabaseName property of the Data Control and then click the ellipses button to display the DatabaseName dialog box. Note the default file name extension is .dbf.
5. Select a .dbc file and click the OK button. Note that Visual Basic has truncated the file name out of the database name text box.