The Borland Database Engine

The Borland Database Engine (BDE) is a powerful software package that gives Compass programs the ability to access and manipulate virtually any common Windows database. Before you can use CaveBase, you must install the Database Engine on your computer.

Previous Versions of BDE. If you used an older version of CaveBase, you probably installed a previous version of the Database Engine. Previous versions of the Database Engine will not work with the current version of CaveBase. You must install the current version for proper operations.

Getting A Copy. A copy of the Database Engine is available on the Compass Web Site at:

http://www.fountainware.com/compass/download.htm

There is also a copy on the Database Engine on the Compass CD-ROM, which is also available through the Compass Web Site:

http://www.fountainware.com/compass

Installing. The Database Engine comes as a self-installing file. You just place it somewhere on your hard drive, locate it with Windows Explorer and the double click on the file. The program install itself on your computer.

Testing The Database Engine. As a part of its installation, the Database Engine will install a program that will allow you to test the Engine to insure that it has been properly installed and is working correctly. Unless you chose a different directory, the program will be found under “My Computer” in the following directory:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Borland Shared\BDE

The program is called: “BDEinfo.exe”. To test the Engine, just double click on the program and then press the “Test BDE”.

BDE Administrator. The Database Engine will also install another utility called the “BDE Administrator”. This program allows you to configure the Database Engine in various ways. The program is called “BDEADMIN.EXE” and it will be found in the same directory listed above. To run the program double click on the file. For complete information about how to use the BDE Administrator, read the accompanying help file. The help file can be found in the same directory under the name: “BDE32.HLP”. To view the help file, simply double click on it.

Short Cuts. If you need to use the any of the above mentioned programs and files frequently, you can create short cuts to them. Refer to Windows help for more information.