SQL Server to FoxPro conversion and synchronization.

Convert data from SQL Server to DBF.

Migrating from SQL Server to DBF, unlike the more common scenario of migrating from DBF to SQL Server, is a less common choice in today's technology landscape. However, there might be some specific circumstances or reasons for considering such a migration. Here are a few potential scenarios:

  1. Legacy System Maintenance: If an organization has mission-critical applications built on FoxPro and lacks the resources or expertise to maintain or upgrade them, it might migrate to FoxPro from SQL Server. This decision could be driven by the need to continue supporting legacy systems.
  2. Cost Considerations: In some cases, licensing and infrastructure costs associated with SQL Server might concern an organization. If they find that the cost of using SQL Server outweighs the benefits or if they have budget constraints, they might consider migrating to FoxPro as a more cost-effective solution.
  3. Specific Application Requirements: Specific requirements or constraints might make dBase or FoxPro more suitable choice. For instance, migrating to FoxPro could be a viable option if an application relies heavily on specific FoxPro features or functions that are not easily replicated or supported in SQL Server.
  4. Data Location: In specific scenarios, storing and processing data on the local computer might be needed without requiring a centralized database server like SQL Server. File-based nature of DBF allows for easier data localization, making it an option for scenarios where data autonomy is essential.

It's important to note that migrating from SQL Server to DBF is typically an uncommon choice due to the inherent limitations of DBF as a file-based database system. SQL Server offers more advanced features, scalability, security, and integration capabilities that benefit modern data management needs. Organizations usually prefer migrating from DBF to SQL Server to take advantage of these features and ensure long-term compatibility and growth.

Data synchronization between DBF and SQL Server.

Synchronizing data between DBF and MSSQL (Microsoft SQL Server) can be a crucial requirement for organizations with a hybrid environment with applications and databases running on both platforms. This synchronization ensures that data remains consistent and up-to-date across both systems, allowing seamless operations and facilitating data-driven decision-making.

DBSync for FoxPro and MS SQL is a reliable solution that simplifies the synchronization process between FoxPro, dBase, FoxBase, XBase, Clipper and MSSQL databases. This powerful tool offers an intuitive interface and comprehensive features to ensure accurate and efficient data synchronization.

One of the key advantages of DBSync is its intelligent synchronizer mechanism. It ensures that data replicated from the source database (DBF) to the destination database (SQL Server) is stable and accurate. This mechanism handles various scenarios, including conflicts, and provides reliable data replication between the two platforms.

Additionally, DBSync provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the configuration and management of synchronization tasks. You can easily set up connections to the DBF and MSSQL databases through an intuitive wizard-like interface, define a mapping between tables, specify synchronization options, and schedule automated synchronization tasks.

NOTE: FoxPro General datatype is not supported.

Supported databases:
  • *.DBF
  • dBase
  • MS Visual FoxPro
  • MS Visual FoxPro Program
  • Clipper
  • XBase
  • FoxBase
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • SQL Azure
  • Amazon RDS
  • MS SQL Dump
 DBConvert for FoxPro & MSSQL

Version: 4.7.2

Release Date: Oct. 10, 2023

 DBSync for FoxPro & MSSQL

Version: 4.6.8

Release Date: Oct. 11, 2023

Try All-in-one DB migration and Sync software.

DBConvert Studio

 Version: 3.5.4

Release Date: Feb. 14, 2024

Supported databases:

  • SQL Server
  • MySQL
  • MariaDB
  • Percona
  • Oracle
  • PostgreSQL
  • Access
  • FoxPro
  • SQLite
  • Interbase
  • Firebird
  • IBM DB2
  • MS Azure SQL
  • Amazon RDS
  • Amazon Aurora
  • Heroku Postgres
  • Google Cloud

Using SQL Server to FoxPro conversion and synchronization tools.

When launching the DBConvert or DBSync application in GUI mode, it seamlessly guides you through the steps to initiate database migration or synchronization:

1. Connect to SQL Server source database.

Specify the username/password and host/port parameters if your source database requires login credentials.

Connect to SQL Server source database from DBConvert

2. Connect to FoxPro destination database.

Specify parameters for the destination database similar to the source, defining connection settings and username/password pairs.

Connect to FoxPro target database from DBConvert

NOTE #1: Each DBConvert or DBSync tool's name comprises two different databases, enabling any specified database to operate as the source or destination. Furthermore, the same type of database can function as both the source and destination.

NOTE #2: Connections to cloud databases (e.g., Amazon RDS, Google Cloud, or Azure SQL) aren't explicitly specified in the user interface but use the same settings as traditional on-premises databases.

NOTE #3: Connections to source and target databases remain active until you close the DBConvert/DBSync application or reopen new connections.

Refer to our documentation for specific source/ destination configurations for different databases.

3. Configure database migration options.

Specify the tables, fields, indices, and views you want to transfer to the FoxPro destination database by checking/unchecking the corresponding boxes.

Customize general database/ tables settings. Or configure specific table , field, index object individually when migrating data.

Explore our articles in the user's manual about Configuring database migration options. for detailed information.

The screenshot below summarizes the general features available in DBConvert software.

4. Detection of potential database migration issues. Errors and Warnings

The database enforces certain relations on the data, and on the customization step, an intelligent error checker verifies all possible data integrity and referential integrity issues. It highlights any problems before migration starts.

By default, DBConvert attempts to automatically map the database types of the source SQL Server database to the closest equivalent of the target FoxPro database types. However, you can manually change the data types for the entire database globally using the "Global mapping" or individually for each field.

Explore the Intelligent error checker for more information. on errors and warnings

5. Execution. The final stage of data migration.

Initiate the conversion or synchronization process after configuring source and destination databases in the previous steps.

Click the "Commit" button to start conversion. Here, you can also monitor the migration/synchronization process.

Optionally save connection settings and configuration parameters into the session file to schedule the launching of sync or migration jobs regularly.

Execution step of DBConvert products

Explore more about the options available during the execution stage

Command line mode

Pass previously saved sessions as parameters to the Command-Line DBConvert Client. A session retains SQL Server source and FoxPro target database connection settings with other specified options.

Example:

C:\Program Files\DBConvert\foxpro2mssqlPro\foxpro2mssqlPro_Cons.exe /Session:"Session_Name"

NOTE: First, run the software in GUI mode to create a session file with initial parameters.

Built-in scheduler.

Our applications include a built-in scheduler to run database migration and sync jobs at specified times. Set the scheduled date and time to execute job sessions automatically.

Find more Information about the built-in scheduler

DBConvert screenshot

Supported OS:

Requirements

  • Necessary privileges to write into database on the target SQL Server (this requirement is optional as there is an option to overcome the restrictions using dump file)
  • MS Visual FoxPro version 9.0 and early, e.g. FoxPro 2.6

Related Links

Highlights

Explore details regarding reverse migration.