Microsoft KB Archive/113928

INF: Relationship Between Btrieve and Microsoft Access

PSS ID Number: Q113928 Article last modified on 03-13-1995

2.00

WINDOWS

= SUMMARY =

Btrieve is not a complete database program, such as Microsoft Access or Microsoft FoxPro. Btrieve is a database engine that provides database functionality to applications developed with programming languages such as Microsoft Visual Basic, Microsoft Visual C++, Pascal, and Assembly Language.

Microsoft Access has the ability to attach, import, and export Btrieve files.

= MORE INFORMATION =

Btrieve Technologies defines Btrieve as a record manager, not as a complete stand-alone database application. Btrieve has no user interface; it provides only back-end functionality.

In order to retrieve data using Btrieve, a front end, or user interface, must first be written, usually in a programming language. Microsoft Access has been designed to provide such front end functionality.

The relationship between Btrieve and its front end is similar to the relationship between the Microsoft Jet database engine and a Visual Basic front end application, although the Jet database engine provides greater functionality.

To provide front end functionality for Btrieve, Btrieve Technologies created Xtrieve. Where Btrieve standards and Xtrieve standards differ, Microsoft Access follows the Xtrieve standard.

Many programs have been written to use Btrieve. Several major accounting applications use it to perform database functions. Customers often use Microsoft Access in conjunction with these programs to provide report generation capability. By attaching the Btrieve files, Microsoft Access can read them while the accounting application is still actively using them.

Btrieve is provided by Btrieve Technologies as a dynamic-link library (DLL) file named WBTRCALL.DLL. This DLL file provides the disk I/O and indexing for the Btrieve files. Data Dictionary (DDF) files are used by Xtrieve and Microsoft Access, since Btrieve files do not contain any field information.

The relationship between Microsoft Access and Btrieve is shown in this diagram:

Microsoft Access | Jet database engine Database engine used by Microsoft Access. | BTRV200.DLL Microsoft Access Btrieve ISAM DLL file. | WBTRCALL.DLL This file is provided by Btrieve Technologies. | DDF files Data Dictionary files. | Hard disk This is the Btrieve file that can be used file as a table in Microsoft Access.

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

Additional reference words: 2.00 importing exporting attaching KBCategory: kb3rdparty KBSubcategory: IsmBtrv

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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.