ACC: Xtrieve Data Dictionary (.DDF) File Information

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0

SUMMARY

Advanced: Requires expert coding, interoperability, and multiuser skills.

This article describes Xtrieve data dictionary (.DDF) files.

MORE INFORMATION

Each Xtrieve data dictionary consists of three files: FILE.DDF, FIELD.DDF, and INDEX.DDF.

The first three records in the FILE.DDF file contain information about the .DDF files for the data dictionary. The first record contains the name and path to itself (FILE.DDF), the second record contains the name and path to FIELD.DDF, and the third record contains the name and path to INDEX.DDF. The remaining records contain the path and filename of each Btrieve file available for use by Microsoft Access as a table.

Microsoft Access reads the FILE.DDF file to locate the FIELD.DDF and INDEX.DDF files. If you move these files, make sure to update the FILE.DDF file to reflect their current location. Or, if you change the names of these files, make sure to update the FILE.DDF file to reflect the new names.

To modify the FILE.DDF file you must use Xtrieve, or any hex editor. If you use a hex editor to modify the file, make sure not to change the record or field lengths in the file.

Xtrieve and Btrieve are manufactured by Pervasive Software, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.