Paradox database file

Question

I found paradox database files with different extension.

There are db file, mb file, dat file, px file, XG0 file, XG1 file, XG2 file, XG3 file, XG4 file, YG0 file, YG1 file, YG2 file, YG3 file and YG4 file.

I already found way to open db file and px file using gnumeric spreadsheet. I found some of needed data from db file. But, rest of data not in db file. So, i have to open rest of files. I cant find software that can read those files.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, Borland has never documented the Paradox file format, so there's no definitive information available.

Anyway:

• the actual data are in the .db files (tables) and .mb files (memo/blob info, at least Paradox level 4)
• .px files contain primary index information. .xg? / .yg? are for secondary index(es). Those are auxiliary files which Paradox uses to store the indexes
• the .dat file is more than likely the program's configuration data (try to open it with a text editor, it should contain ASCII text)
• .val files are for formatting / constraint handling
• .sc files are script, .qbe queries

So your data are in .db/.mb files. If something is missing you could have corrupted files. Try Paradox file repair (see link below) with a copy of your data.

Further details:

• Paradox Specifications
• Paradox file repair
• pxlib. Library to read and write Paradox databases
• How to open the .db paradox file
• BB's Database Desktop. Replaces and extends Borland Database Desktop, which is not free. The goal of this project is to implement the functions of the original Database Desktop and add some useful features.

Answer 2

As was stated, the DB and MB files were the only files that contained data. PX and the XG/YG pairs were simply indexes with no new data. Paradox tables (DB and MB) could be password encrypted, which may be why you could not read the data, if you do not have the password.