Reading Paradox Database files
I'm working with a client who has an existing system, built on what is apparently a Paradox database. I've got the database, in the form of a zip file containing .DB, .MB and .PX files, one for each table.
I need to take (some) of this data and import it in to a Web application that's using MySQL. Does anybody have a way for me to extract this data, that doesn't involve installing Paradox?
If not, does Paradox export in some readable format? Either as SQL or something that can be parsed reasonably easily? The person in charge of this system for my client is a volunteer (they're a non-profit), so I'd like to go to him with a solution - because last time I asked for the data, I got this, which is clearly no good.
Answer
The wikipedia article about Paradox lists two other things, that might be interessant, both under GPL license:
- pxlib: Library to read and write Paradox databases
- pxtools: convert a Paradox-database into a SQL-database
And if you have Delphi and want to write a converter yourself (which would need the BDE to work) you can take a look at this article or at the source code of ConvertCodeLib on this web site. Both make use of TClientDataset, which can write a CDS (binary format) or an XML file.