I have just recently converted two of my customers from Dialect 1 to 3,
something that has been on my to-do list for quite some time.



I used a plug-in to IB Expert, Interbase Datapump by Clever Components, and
the conversion went VERY smooth. These are fairly large databases the
larger around 4 GB. This one took about 8 hours to convert on my dedicated
network (this is an accounting database that has had 10 years of activity
with over 300 tables). I created and empty dialect 3 database and used the
data pump to move everything over. Of course I did several "dry runs" to
make sure all the accounting went over perfectly and I was literally out
only a couple of pennies. Not bad! I told my customer I would gladly pay
the difference.



I immediately found the benefit: no more maintaining 2 dialects which
caused some issues in my application along with more date/time field options
and accurate storage of currency fields (and I'm sure there are a ton more
but these where my hot points).



Definitely worth the time and effort to do the conversion. If I had known
it was this easy, I would have (should have) done it long ago.



So now I'm on version 1.5. Once I replace/update the data access components
in my app, I will be looking at the 2.x FB.



Cheers!

Kevin





From: firebird-support@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:firebird-support@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Woody
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 7:34 AM
To: firebird-support@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [firebird-support] Database versions





From: "Ann W. Harrison" <aharrison@...
<mailto:aharrison%40ibphoenix.com> >

> On 12/3/2010 7:05 AM, rogerpullen wrote:
>
> Everything will work with your database - server and tools. You
> can even backup and restore the database under V2.5 to take advantage
> of improvements in the ODS.
>
> But you really ought to find the time to convert to Dialect 3 ...
> it's only going to get worse.
>

I'm at that point myself. Originally, the structures were transferred from
Paradox to Access. After too many index errors, among others, I switched to
Interbase when it went open source and then to FB 1.5 when it was available.

I realize this question should go to firebird tools, but has anyone written
any conversion utility that will pinpoint the types that need changing by
parsing your metadata or possibly converting it using defaults? If not, I
will probably write one myself since I not only use FB for work projects but

also for any personal programs I write for myself to use.

Sorry for hijacking the thread Ann (and Helen) but I thought it might be
pertinent to the subject.

Woody (TMW)





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