Converting Legacy Databases to Work with R:BASE 7.6  
 
When preparing to use R:BASE 7.6 it is important to ensure that if you are coming up from an older legacy version that you take the proper steps to convert that database. for your convience we have included two different flow charts that describe this process as well as the Text article included below.  
 
When locating and using the database name in the conversion instructions, be sure to remember that the "actual" database name for .RBS and .RBF files does not include the "1", "2", or "3" located before the file extension. For example, a R:BASE 3.1 database with the name SALES will have the file extensions SALES1.RBF, SALES2.RBF, and SALES3.RBF, but the database name is still just "SALES". In the steps below where the "dbname" is required in the command syntax, use only the "actual" database name.
 
The Manual Tools and a Single Seat of R:BASE 6.5++ for Windows are included in the Full Version of R:BASE 7.6 for Windows, for conversion purposes. The files and installer are located on the root of the R:BASE 7.6 for Windows CD-ROM in the "Conversion Tools" folder. Convert Express is a separate product and is sold separately. Please call R:BASE Technologies at 1+724.733.0053 or e-mail sales@rbase.com, if you wish to purchase Convert Express.  
 
To use this document you will need to know which version of R:BASE you are coming from. To assist you in getting a rough idea of which version you are starting at we have included the table below which lists the R:BASE file formats. Once you know your version find it listed below and follow the steps listed there.  
 
R:BASE Database File Formats  
 
4000 / 5000
System V to 4.0
DBNAME1.RBS
DBNAME1.RBF
DBNAME2.RBS
DBNAME2.RBF
DBNAME3.RBS
DBNAME3.RBF

4.5 to 5.0
5.5 to 7.6
DBNAME.RB1
DBNAME.RB1
DBNAME.RB2
DBNAME.RB2
DBNAME.RB3
DBNAME.RB3

DBNAME.RB4
 
 
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BACK UP YOUR DATABASE!  
 
 
All Versions 4.0 and Lower  
Each version 4.0 and lower will include the steps for conversion using Convert Express and/or the manual conversion tools found off of the main R:BASE installation in the CONVERT folder.        
 
Convert Express  
1.Create a working directory.  
2.Copy the contents of the Convert Express disk to your working directory.  
3.Copy your database files to the working directory.  
4.Continue from your version as listed below.  
 
Manual Tools  
1.Create a working directory.  
2.Copy the contents of the Convert directory to your working directory from your installation CD.  
3.Copy your database files to the working directory.  
4.Continue from your version as listed below.      
 
 
R:BASE 4000 and 5000  
 
Convert Express  
At a DOS Prompt...  
1.CONVERT dbname  
2.Repeat for All Databases  
3.Continue with R:BASE System V, 2.x and 3.x      
 
Manual Tools  
At a DOS Prompt, navigate to the working directory...  
1.CONVERT dbname  
2.Repeat for All Databases  
3.Continue with R:BASE System V, 2.x and 3.x      
 
 
R:BASE System V, 2.x and 3.x  
        
Convert Express  
At a DOS Prompt...  
1.Type ConvEx.EXE  
2.Select CONVERT DATABASES  
3.Select ALL FOUND  
4.Continue with R:BASE 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5      
 
Manual Tools  
At a DOS Prompt navigate to the working directory...  
1.Type DBCONV dbname  
2.Repeat for All Databases  
3.Continue with R:BASE 3.x and 4.0      
 
 
R:BASE 3.x or 4.0  
        
Convert Express  
At a DOS Prompt...  
1.Type ConvEx.EXE  
2.Select CONVERT DATABASES  
3.Select ALL FOUND  
4.Continue with R:BASE 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5      
 
Manual Tools  
At a DOS Prompt navigate to the working directory...  
1.Type NEWDB dbname  
2.Repeat for All Databases  
3.Continue with R:BASE 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5      
 
 
R:BASE 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5  
        
If there is no Owner or Password  
  
1.Install R:BASE 6.5++  
2.At an R> Prompt, navigate to your working directory  
3.SET AUTOUPGRADE ON  
4.SET AUTOCONVERT ON  
5.CONNECT DBNAME  
6.DISCONNECT  
7.Repeat "Step 5" for all databases.  
8.Continue with Housekeeping      
 
If there is an Owner or Password  
  
1.Install R:BASE 6.5++  
2.At an R> Prompt, navigate to your working directory.  
3.SET AUTOUPGRADE ON  
4.SET AUTOCONVERT ON  
5.CONNECT DBNAME IDENTIFIED BY Username Password  
6.DISCONNECT  
7.Repeat "Step 5" for all databases  
8.Continue with Housekeeping  
 
 
R:BASE 6.x  
        
Not Yet Connected to the Database  
At an R> Prompt...  
 
1.Install R:BASE 6.5++  
2.At an R> Prompt, navigate to your working directory.  
3.SET AUTOUPGRADE ON  
4.SET AUTOCONVERT ON  
5.CONNECT DBNAME  
6.Repeat for all databases.  
7.Continue with Housekeeping  
 
 
Housekeeping  
  
Again at the R:BASE 6.5++ R> Prompt...  
 
1.DISCONNECT  
2.RENAME OrigName.RB* BckupDB.RB*  
3.CONNECT BckupDB  
4.RELOAD OrigName  
 
The RELOAD command creates a copy of the database that is completely rebuild with the structure, data, and indexes reloaded. It's one of the very basic but very useful housekeeping tools. It is similar to the PACK command (or defragmenting a hard drive).  
 
Dos to Windows Conversion  
 
At this point you are ready to address the issues of converting to Windows (if you are doing so).  
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are planning to salvage your existing Forms, Reports, and Labels from your existing pre-6.5++ database(s), you will need to open EACH in the respective designer of the R:BASE 6.5++ for Windows version, and save it to reset the version flag. Otherwise, the R:BASE 7.6 Form, Report, and Label Converter will not be able to properly convert the item. If you are designing new Forms, Reports, and Labels from scratch in the 7.6 version, this step is not necessary.  
 
1.In the 6.5++ version, open the Object Manager (the first icon on the toolbar that looks like an octopus) and you will see several tabs across the top. The first is Apps, the next Databases and so on.  
2.Click on the Database tab and double click to select a Database or single click and then use the Open button. The other tabs should become enabled.  
3.Go to the Reports and Forms tabs and select each Form and Report and click design. Select "Yes" to Upgrade and "Yes" to Autoformat. This will perform the automatic conversion of the DOS version of the object to a Windows version. IMPORTANT: The "Autoformat" will be based on your settings in the "Utilities" > "Preferences" dialog for Form, Report and Label defaults, so be sure to set the "Font" values to a larger size to make your conversion easier. Repeat the conversion steps for all reports, labels, and forms.  
4.The results will be workable and SHOULD RUN.... but not nearly what they can be. At this point you will probably find it necessary to go over each report and form and fine tune it.  
5.When you do, one of the first things you will probably want to do is change -------- for actual graphic lines. These may show up as strings of strange letters such as ä. We recommend that you go in and delete any ----- or |||| then close and save the form or report BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE. THEN go back in and make other changes such as fonts or adding graphics.  
6.Then begins the tedium of changing over the Character Based forms and reports to take advantage of the Graphical nature of Windows.  
 
In R:BASE 6.5++, you need to convert forms, reports, and labels created in character mode R:BASE before converting them into R:BASE 7.6.  
 
If you convert a form, report, or label created in character mode R:BASE, a copy of the form, report, or label is made with the same name for use with R:BASE for Windows, but you can still open the original form, report, or label in the character mode R:BASE.  
 
After you convert a form, report, or label, you can have R:BASE format it automatically for you. If you choose to autoformat the form, report, or label, R:BASE resizes the fields vertically and moves them so that they are visible and do not overlap each other.  
 
You can specify global default settings for objects in forms, reports, and labels in the "Preferences" dialog box. When you convert forms, reports, and labels, the objects will take on the default settings you have specified. However, if you have customized an object (such as color or font), the object will keep these settings.  
 
Note the following results from conversions:  
 
·Lines - All lines revert to black. Any lines created in DOS will be removed. If you have created lines in a DOS version of R:BASE by using text (such as dashes or underscores), these objects will be treated as text objects. You can remove these objects and replace them with R:BASE 5.5 line objects.  
·Regions and Tiers - If you have applied a color to a region from a DOS-version form, the region will be outlined with boxes.  
·Small Fields - In DOS-version forms that have fields that are 1- to 2-characters wide must be resized wider to accomodate Windows fonts.  
·Report margins - Verify that field objects are within the margins; otherwise, the field objects will not be printed.  
 
Once the forms, reports, and labels are converted into R:BASE 6.5++ for Windows, they can then be brought into R:BASE 7.6 using the built-in Converter. All forms, reports, and labels are created in a new system table, so the originals remain untouched.  
 
  
ODBC Compliance  
     
If you are planning on using ODBC to import and export data from R:BASE make sure at this time that your characters are set right by doing the following.  
 
1.Go to an R> Prompt  
2.Connect to your Database  
3.Type SHOW CHAR  
4.Compare to the Chart Below  
5.If they do not match change them by typing SET TYPE=CHAR (where TYPE is from the Character Column and CHAR from the Set To column)         
     
Character
Set To
Description
MANY
%
Percent Sign
SINGLE
_
Underscore
QUOTES
'
Single Quote
IDQUOTES
`
*Reverse Single Quote
 
* On American keyboards, this is usually located under the tilde "~", which is next to the 1  
     
 
Y2K Compliance  
        
For more information on Y2K Compliance please visit our Y2K Page at http://www.rbase.com/support/y2k/  
 
To check the Y2K compliance of your database do the following.  
 
1.Go to an R> Prompt  
2.Connect to your Database  
3.Type SHOW DATE  
 
Most likely the settings will be as follows... (This is the default for upgraded databases).  
 
DATE FORMAT MM/DD/YY   
DATE SEQUENCE MMDDYY   
DATE CENTURY 19   
DATE YEAR 0   
  
If so then your database is NOT Y2K compliant. To activate the Y2K compliancy features of your database we recommend the following:  
  
 
Set your Format to 4 Y's  
 
When they are set that way then 1/1/1999 will be seen as a valid year and 1/1/99 will also be a valid year. If you are set to 2 Y's then only 1/1/99 will be a valid year.  
  
 
Set the Date Year to a Convenient Year  
 
The Date Century and Date Year determine how 2 digit years such as 1/1/99 are handled. To determine your settings mentally combine the century and the year (in this case 19 and 0 make 1900) and then add 99 (in this case 1999) all two digit years will be interpreted as being between these dates. Setting Date Year to 80 will result in 19 + 80 giving 1980 and then adding 99 making 2079. Thus all two digit dates will be between 1980 and 2079. For example a date entered as 1/1/60 would be seen as 2060.  
 
Older versions set to four Y's would see 2 digit dates as being complete four digit years. For example, 1/1/99 would be January First in the year 99. This is known as First Century data. For this reason if your database is already set to four Y's on the format we recommend using the following command to check for invalid dates:  
 
TALLY datecol FROM tablename WHERE datecol < 1/1/1950   
 
This should build a list of all dates (and how often they occur) that are possibly incorrectly entered and that you can then deal with. Be careful not to go overboard. For example: if you have your family tree stored in an R:BASE Database then be careful that you leave Great Grandmother's birthday in the 1800's where it is supposed to be even though the Tally command above would flag that as an "invalid" date.