Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!caip!nike!ucbcad!ucbvax!decwrl!lane@badger.dec.com
From: lane@badger.dec.com (m lane)
Newsgroups: net.roots
Subject: database format question
Message-ID: <4181@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Date: Tue, 15-Jul-86 13:15:25 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.4181
Posted: Tue Jul 15 13:15:25 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 16-Jul-86 04:49:01 EDT
Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 36

Greetings.
 
Does anyone have any information on the disk file formats used by some of
the more popular genealogy programs?
 
I am in the process of re-defining the format used by my own software and
I was wondering if I could make it compatible with something already being
used by other people.
 
My current disk files are sequential records. Each record is prefixed with
a key-letter and contains one type of information for a particular entry.
The re-definition involves changing the type and format of the information
contained in a record. I have no plans to abandon the sequential record
format. A quick sample:
 
	A:entry_number
	B:name
	C:date_of_birth
	D:place_of_birth
	E:father's_entry_number
	F:mother's  "
	G:marriage_number:spouse's_entry_number
	I:marriage_number:date_of_marriage
	etc.
 
I have never used any of the available genealogy programs; I have no idea
what is the norm for data storage. I would like to emphasize that I am
only interested in information that is available to the public and that
relates to disk storage format. I do not wish to infringe on any copy-
righted or otherwise protected material. The software I use is not available
for purchase although I may consider making it available to individuals
for comparison purposes.
 
Mickey Lane
Digital Equipment Corporation
Colorado Springs, Colorado