How can i read database file which is with .dat Extension?

Question

Malvik Bhavsar · Answer

Ohkee....thank you all for reply...

Vulpes · Answer

Well as we have no idea how to read the binary format used by the .dat file I don't think you have any choice but to export it to a CSV file first. Even then you might have a struggle reading it unless you know (from documentation or otherwise) exactly what each field represents.

Malvik Bhavsar · Answer

Yes PMS export report as CSV file but i need get data automatically using scheduler in my application. so....

Vulpes · Answer

Can the PMS export data as a text file? Why do you need to read the file outside the PMS in any case?

Malvik Bhavsar · Answer

Hello Saumitr Actually this *.dat file is one of the PMS(patient management system) software database file and yes i can open file in notepad but there are some readable data and many symbols mixing so i could not find/read exactly data.

Saumitr Sharma · Answer

i)Can you open .Dat file in note pad ? ii) How .dat file is created? iii) Basically a DAT file can be anything from a standard CSV (comma delimited data-file) to a proprietary binary file. From my own experience I have seen .dat files (and .data files used interchangeable) be used to store sets of class objects from specific applications to images to full in-house low-level databases. iv)Open up the .dat file in Textpad It may contain SQL scripts to create the required databse objects that you can apply to your database. Check that the scripts are safe to run and run them against your dev server. Or it may contain table data in a delimmted form that you can import in SQL server. Either way have a look at the contents of the file to see what to do. v)Since it is a *.dat file it's not likely to be a SQL Server Backup but it could be since SQL does not require a backup extension for the file (even though it makes it easier :D) As suggested earlier I would try opening the file in notepad or wordpad. A dat file might also be something from Excel for all we know. In any case it is unlikely to be a database that someone just detached and forwarded along for you to attach to your server. You might suggest to whomever sent you the file to try taking a backup of the database assuming one exists and send you that file to work with the data.

Malvik Bhavsar · Answer

Hello Pradeep It's not working. and i don't know what the databse it is.

Malvik Bhavsar · Answer

ohke..i will check on monday and then reply to this works or not..... Thank you Pradeep

Pradeep Shet · Answer

Dont change the extension it wont work..I said just select all files from dropdown

Malvik Bhavsar · Answer

yes i did change extension.dat to .bak and try to restore database but it's say invalid bak file.

Pradeep Shet · Answer

Have you tried selected all files instead of bak files in dropdown available in Restore Database wizard?

Malvik Bhavsar · Answer

Yes exactly pradeep Any idea about this?

Vulpes · Answer

To be able to read any database file you need to know which database product created it in the first place. Off hand I can't think of any database product which uses a standard extension of .dat and it might just be a simple text or CSV file. I'd try opening the file in notepad. If it's readable text then you should be able to load it with a line such as: string[] lines = System.IO.File.ReadAllLines(somefile.dat); However if it's just gibberish then it will be a binary file written in a proprietary format and you'll need to try and find out which database product created it to have any hope of reading it.

Pradeep Shet · Answer

Hi Do you mean you want to restore the database? Then while restoring select all files from dropdown instead of bak file.