Converting Microfiche Filer Plus to XML

09 March 2004, 19:19

Hi all - I'm new to the group, but not to Amigas, Got my first one (500) back in '89 or '90, and have been using them ever since. Currently have a 1200 and a 2500 with a Toaster in daily use. I use Microfiche Filer Plus for my databases, and need to be able to convert them into XML for my website developer. Has anyone done this, or know how I can go about it? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

mr_0rga5m · 09 March 2004, 20:13

Hi

Welcome to EAB

Sorry but i've never heard of 'Microfiche Filer Plus' .. I dont suppose you know how the database is stored ? .. ie: flatfile,csv or custom datafile etc..

FromWithin · 09 March 2004, 21:13

If it's a relatively simple format, I could probably write a little converter program.

If you don't know about the file format, post an example database to the zone (see the link at the top "the zone").

mr_0rga5m · 09 March 2004, 21:47

heh .. thats why i asked about the format, i was gonna knock up summat too

This thread is too nice n helpfull .. we need a bit O Akira-ism in here :P

/me runs off n hides ...

Enverex · 09 March 2004, 23:00

You all suck. I hate you all.
Read the FAQ you fucking morons.
You all need to die.

THREAD CLOSED.

CodyJarrett · 09 March 2004, 23:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Enverex
You all suck. I hate you all.
Read the FAQ you fucking morons.
You all need to die.

THREAD CLOSED.

There's no need to start attacking Akira with absolutely no provocation.

Can we please keep on topic?

10 March 2004, 16:45

Thanks for responding, gents. Sorry, I'm not as savvy as most of you in computer things. How would I determine what file type it uses? Would it be the extension on the file? They're .mff, which I presume stands for microfiche filer file... If it's any help, the program resembles a microfiche viewer (hence the name), having a small overview window and then a detail window, where the records are disiplayed. Double clicking on a record brings up whatever form is set for display. What other info can I give that would be of help?

FromWithin · 10 March 2004, 21:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Vidman
Thanks for responding, gents. Sorry, I'm not as savvy as most of you in computer things. How would I determine what file type it uses? Would it be the extension on the file?

No, the extension is largely irrelevant. It might be an .mff file, but what exactly is an .mff file? There doesn't seem to be any public documentation about the contents of these files.

If the data is stored as pure text then it should be pretty easy. If not, then it might be possible to determine how to interpret the data if you can provide information about the fields in the file, the field sizes and so on.

The best thing to do would be to create a small example database and post it to the zone so that we can have a look at it.

12 March 2004, 17:38

Unfortunately, my Amiga is no longer connected to the internet, and I haven't been able to get the program that makes the floppies into ms format to work. I just opened the database file in DiskMaster, and this is how it displays:
Version 2.0
Forms
Form "Packing Slip: 0 0 616 174 0
Field 0 260 0126 8 "Packing Slip"
Field 5 0 18 260 8 ""
Field 3 0 9 268 8 ""
Field 0 273 9 121 8 "Invoice Number"

and so on for the rest of the forms, and then

Data Definition
Field 1 "First Name " ""
Field 2 "Last Name" ""

and so on, then

Data
Record
7
Lin Lin
5
Furry
13
Lin Lin Furry
0

24
Red Lotus Ti Chi Qigong
9
PO Box 89
29
22 Newman Dr.
14
W. Nottingham,
3
NH
5
03291
18
W. Nottingham, NH 03291
8
942-7634
77
Editing - $240.00
20
Editing/duplications

and so on for the rest of the invoice. I'm not quite sure what the numbers relate to before the inputted data, as they don't match up to the field numbers (for example, there is no field 77 as before editing above).
Hope this gives you some idea of what the program's about.

12 March 2004, 17:40

I think that the numbers relate to how many spaces are used by the inputted data, as when there is no data, there's a 0.

FromWithin · 12 March 2004, 17:59

Well that all looks pretty straight-forward. As long as you know what the data is that you want to keep, and how the XML file is to be put together (i.e. what is the XML file to be used for?), it shouldn't be a problem to write a program to convert it.

12 March 2004, 18:08

The records that will be converted only have 3 fields - it's a database of videos that I've shot, and have a number, a title and notes. They'll be used in a database in my website from which people can order copies of past events. Thanks for your assitance!

RCK · 16 March 2004, 17:29

Quote:

Originally posted by CodyJarrett
There's no need to start attacking Akira with absolutely no provocation.

Can we please keep on topic?

yes, please yes.

09 March 2004, 19:19	#1
Vidman Posts: n/a	Converting Microfiche Filer Plus to XML Hi all - I'm new to the group, but not to Amigas, Got my first one (500) back in '89 or '90, and have been using them ever since. Currently have a 1200 and a 2500 with a Toaster in daily use. I use Microfiche Filer Plus for my databases, and need to be able to convert them into XML for my website developer. Has anyone done this, or know how I can go about it? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

10 March 2004, 16:45	#7
Vidman Posts: n/a	How do I determine file type? Thanks for responding, gents. Sorry, I'm not as savvy as most of you in computer things. How would I determine what file type it uses? Would it be the extension on the file? They're .mff, which I presume stands for microfiche filer file... If it's any help, the program resembles a microfiche viewer (hence the name), having a small overview window and then a detail window, where the records are disiplayed. Double clicking on a record brings up whatever form is set for display. What other info can I give that would be of help?

12 March 2004, 17:38	#9
Vidman Posts: n/a	Don't think I can do that now... Unfortunately, my Amiga is no longer connected to the internet, and I haven't been able to get the program that makes the floppies into ms format to work. I just opened the database file in DiskMaster, and this is how it displays: Version 2.0 Forms Form "Packing Slip: 0 0 616 174 0 Field 0 260 0126 8 "Packing Slip" Field 5 0 18 260 8 "" Field 3 0 9 268 8 "" Field 0 273 9 121 8 "Invoice Number" and so on for the rest of the forms, and then Data Definition Field 1 "First Name " "" Field 2 "Last Name" "" and so on, then Data Record 7 Lin Lin 5 Furry 13 Lin Lin Furry 0 24 Red Lotus Ti Chi Qigong 9 PO Box 89 29 22 Newman Dr. 14 W. Nottingham, 3 NH 5 03291 18 W. Nottingham, NH 03291 8 942-7634 77 Editing - $240.00 20 Editing/duplications and so on for the rest of the invoice. I'm not quite sure what the numbers relate to before the inputted data, as they don't match up to the field numbers (for example, there is no field 77 as before editing above). Hope this gives you some idea of what the program's about.

12 March 2004, 17:40	#10
Vidman Posts: n/a	Addendum to previous I think that the numbers relate to how many spaces are used by the inputted data, as when there is no data, there's a 0.

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09 March 2004, 20:13	#2
mr_0rga5m Tik Gora :D Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Round yo momma's Posts: 1,273	Hi Welcome to EAB Sorry but i've never heard of 'Microfiche Filer Plus' .. I dont suppose you know how the database is stored ? .. ie: flatfile,csv or custom datafile etc..

09 March 2004, 21:13	#3
FromWithin Music lord Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Liverpool, UK Age: 50 Posts: 630	If it's a relatively simple format, I could probably write a little converter program. If you don't know about the file format, post an example database to the zone (see the link at the top "the zone").

09 March 2004, 21:47	#4
mr_0rga5m Tik Gora :D Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Round yo momma's Posts: 1,273	heh .. thats why i asked about the format, i was gonna knock up summat too This thread is too nice n helpfull .. we need a bit O Akira-ism in here :P /me runs off n hides ...

09 March 2004, 23:00	#5
Enverex Fantasy Man! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,353	You all suck. I hate you all. Read the FAQ you fucking morons. You all need to die. THREAD CLOSED.

12 March 2004, 17:59	#11
FromWithin Music lord Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Liverpool, UK Age: 50 Posts: 630	Well that all looks pretty straight-forward. As long as you know what the data is that you want to keep, and how the XML file is to be put together (i.e. what is the XML file to be used for?), it shouldn't be a problem to write a program to convert it.

12 March 2004, 18:08	#12
Vidman Posts: n/a	The records that will be converted only have 3 fields - it's a database of videos that I've shot, and have a number, a title and notes. They'll be used in a database in my website from which people can order copies of past events. Thanks for your assitance!

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