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File Types

MicroBiz Controller Series are written with DBIII+ (D-Base 3+) data format and compiled Clipper. We use seven major file types.

Those file types are:

1. DBF - Database files

2. NTX/CDX - Index files / CDX - Business Controller v5.x

3. EXE/OVL - Executable/Overlay files

4. MEM - Memory files

5. MBZ - MicroBiz trigger files

6. BAT - Batch files

7. LBL - Label files

DBF - Database files

Database files are used to store data entered in the program.

These DBF files can be viewed in a database program such as

D-BASE III+ and FoxBase. MicroBiz does not recommend using programs

like Alpha 4 and Norton File Utility, since they are not compatible

with our file structure and could cause file header corruption.

Database files are composed of records and fields. The diagram

below depicts the record/field relationship:

DATABASE

Field 1 Field 2 Field 3 Field 4

Record 1 R1, F1 R1, F2 R1, F3 R1, F4

Record 2 R2, F1 R2, F2 R2, F3 R2, F4

NTX - Index files / CDX - Business Controller v5.x

Index files are used to put the database files in proper order.
The simplest indexing example would be a dictionary. Words in a dictionary are easy to find because they are in alphabetical order.
Without this order a dictionary is useless. This applies to the index files as well. The program would run quite slowly without
the index files to sort the database files in a sequential order.
Any time NTX files are deleted, the software automatically recreates them. This is also known as "clean and pack" files. The index
files are created by the program based on the information in the database files.

Note: A complete list of all DBF, NTX / CDX (for Business Controller v5.x) files is available on the BBS

EXE/OVL - Executable/Overlay files

The executable/overlay files enable the software to perform its functions; without these files the program cannot be executed. There are also errors that can occur related to these files which are explained in another technical note. The EXE file date refers to the date the program was compiled.
This is very useful to technicians when troubleshooting errors in various versions of MicroBiz software.

MEM - Memory files

The memory files contain all of the customize settings for the program. They also contain the registration information when the program is "branded" with the registration code. The customize settings can easily be reset by deleting these MEM files, since they are also recreated by the software.

MBZ - MicroBiz Trigger files

The MicroBiz trigger files are used to "turn on" a feature in the source code. Certain features that are written in the source code are not meaningful to all users. Therefore, they are hidden in the source code until they are activated by a trigger. Examples of these files are available on another technical note.

BAT - Batch files

Batch files are used to perform several commands in one. These are the same as DOS batch files such as AUTOEXEC.BAT.

Examples: MBZBACK.BAT

DOS.BAT

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