Format

dBASE Database

Summary

Name: dBASE Database
Version: III+
Identifiers: PUID: x-fmt/271
Format type: Database
Description: dBase is a database management systems for microcomputers.The dBase system includes the core database engine, a query system, a forms engine, and a programming language that ties all of these components together. dBase's underlying file format, the .dbf file, is widely used in applications needing a simple format to store structured data.
File extensions: dbf
Source: Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
Developed by: dBASE Inc.
Supported by: dBASE Inc.

Note: dbt Flag(Bit 7 of first byte), Version number(bits 0-2 of first byte), Date of last update MMDD, First upper or lowercase character of field name, field type (C, D, L, M, N). Memo fields in the dbf and a flag indicating the existence of a database text (.dbt) file were already a part of the dbase III dbf file format.

Min Frag Length: Absolute from BOF
Offset: 0
Max offset: None
Byte Sequence: 83??[01:0C][01:1F]{28}([41:5A]|[61:7A]){10}(43|44|4C|4D|4E)
Endianness: None