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Format

dBASE Database

Summary

Name
dBASE Database
Version
III
Identifiers
PUID: x-fmt/9
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.
Note
http://www.dbase.com/help/Design_Tables/IDH_TABLEDES_FIELD_TYPES.htm;http://www.dbase.com/KnowledgeBase/int/db7_file_fmt.htm https://www.promotic.eu/en/pmdoc/Subsystems/Db/dBase/DbfFormat.htm
File extensions
dbf
Source
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
Developed by
dBASE Inc.
Supported by
dBASE Inc.

Internal signatures

dBase Table Version III

Note
Version number, Date of last update MMDD, First upper or lowercase character of field name, field type (C, D, L, M, N). Dbase III (versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2) was released by Ashton-Tate during the period 1984-85. Dbase III+ (versions 1.0 and 1.1) was released during the period 1986-1987. Dbase IV (versions 1.0 and 1.1) was released during the period 1988-1990. All used the same dBase III file format for a dbf.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
03??[01:0C][01:1F]{28}([41:5A]|[61:7A]){10}(43|44|4C|4D|4E)
Endianness
Little-endian

Changelog

  • Updated in V115

    Release date
    15 November 2023

    dBASE Database III: Links to documentation added. Submitted by The National Library of Australia.

  • Updated in V112

    Release date
    10 May 2023

    dBASE Database III: Added developer. Submitted by Digital Preservation Department, The National Archives (UK).

  • Updated in V83

    Release date
    17 December 2015

    dBASE Database III: Added description.

  • Added in V46

    Release date
    8 February 2011

    dBASE Database III: Existing signature refined through PRONOM Research.

  • Added in V45

    Release date
    6 December 2010

    dBASE Database III: Signature submitted by Georgia Tech Research Institute, USA.