4th Dimension databases often are employed to import data, in the form of text documents (files), from other programs and platforms. This technical note examines the various forms of data in text files, and the ways in which to handle importing that data. The import method you choose will depend on the nature of the data you are importing, and on the way it integrates with the existing data in your database. You can import text files using the following methods, listed in order of difficulty:

• Use the Import Manager in User mode.
• Import through a form, with the IMPORT TEXT command.
• Import data using the RECEIVE PACKET command.

There are two basic types of input files: fixed length (sometimes called fixed format), and delimited.

Tech Note