Guide - Part 2

DBComp Usage Guide - Part 2

Preface

DBComp is somewhat technical. Users who are familiar with database technology will understand the terminology and, hopefully, DBComp usage.

If terms like "OBDC Data Source" are completely new to you then plan on spending some time experimenting before you proceed with usage on live data. We suggest you make up two small experimental databases and use them to practice on. One practice route is to make some differences between the two databases directly within your database program. Then try a comparison and look at the actual difference file produced. Then try updating the original Old Data Source using the difference file. Open up the Old Data Source dbase in your database program and check the results. Move on to live data only after you are satisfied with the results.

The below information is presented to help you get going with your experiments.

Also see Performing A Comparison and the program F1 hlp topic, Usage Guidelines.

Performing a Merge

Here the goal is to take a previously generate difference file and merge it into an existing database. In advance you need to have prepared a difference file. Also, you need to have established an OBDC data connection for the database you want to update.

Important Note: DBComp does not make any backups of existing databases. You need to keep your own backups!!! We very strongly suggest you make a fresh backup of the database you will be changing before proceeding.

Start DBComp and click on the Merge button:

In the next dialog that appears, specify the full path to the difference file in the Merge File field. You can use the button if you like.

Similarly, pick the OBDC data source to update via the button next to the Merge Data Source field.

After completing the above, click on Preview Changes:

Then click on the Merge button, which will bring up a preview dialog:

You can copy the contents to that SQL material to the windows clipboard and paste into a text editor to examine it more closely or delete specific line(s) via the Delete Selected button. Click on Make Changes when you are satisfied.

DBComp will then issue one or more result messages. If the OBDC system runs into trouble with one of the updates DBComp will relay the message.