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Q130129: How to Open a Database or Table in Visual FoxPro

Article: Q130129
Product(s): Microsoft FoxPro
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 09-FEB-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0 
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SUMMARY
=======

In Visual FoxPro, you can use the user interface or command methods to open
databases and tables. There are two types of tables - those contained within a
database and those that are free tables independent of a database.

If you attempt to open a table that is part of a database without the database
open, Visual FoxPro opens the database for you.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Opening Databases
-----------------

To open a database through the user interface in Visual FoxPro, choose Open from
the File menu or click the Open file icon on the main Visual FoxPro toolbar.
When the Open dialog box appears, select Database (*.DBC) from Files of Type
popup. To use the database, double-click it, or select it, and click OK.

To open a database by command, use the OPEN DATABASE command. This command allows
you to open a database from the Command window or during program execution.
There are several options that the OPEN DATABASE command can accept. The
following examples show how to open a database with the OPEN DATABASE command:

     OPEN DATABASE ?
     OPEN DATA TASTRADE.DBC EXCL
     OPEN DATA SAMPLE.DBC SHARED

For More information on the OPEN DATABASE command, consult the Visual FoxPro
"Language Reference" Manual or type HELP OPEN DATABASE in the Visual FoxPro
Command window.

Opening Tables
--------------

To open a table through the user interface in Visual FoxPro, choose Open from the
File menu, or click the Open file icon on the main Visual FoxPro toolbar. When
the Open dialog box appears, select Table (*.DBF) from Files of Type popup. To
use the table, double-click it, or select it, and click OK.

To open a table by command, use the USE command. This command allows you to open
a table from the Command window or during program execution. There are several
options that the USE command can accept. The following examples show how to open
a table with the OPEN DATABASE command:

        USE ?
        USE TASTRADE.DBF EXCL
        USE C:\VFP\DATA\SAMPLE.DBF SHARED

For More information on the USE command, consult the Visual FoxPro "Language
Reference" Manual or type HELP USE in the Visual FoxPro Command window.

Additional query words: VFoxWin

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVFP300
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0

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