Database Utilities for Paradox and dBASE

for databases based on Borland Database Engine (BDE)

BDE (Borland Database Engine) is the common database connection for databases using Paradox and dBASE data files.
Though generally considered deprecated BDE is still widely used with Paradox and dBASE database applications, and BDE is still used with the currently marketed dBASE Plus/dBASE 2019 from dbase.com.

As the Borland Paradox 7 and Borland Database Desktop applications after Windows updates (Windows 7 & Windows 10) may not be running properly, and if you are dealing with either Paradox or dBASE databases you might benefit from some of the tools below, all of which are compatible also with Windows 7, 32- & 64-bit as well as with Windows 10 & 11.

Need to keep or salvage the Paradox (or dBASE) table formats?

You should benefit from the features of the PdxEditor - please look up the comparative feature matrix.
If you are working only with dBase tables you maybe will prefer the dedicated current dBASE implementation from www.dbase.com.

Windows 11 and BDE

See BDE and Windows 11

BDE Administrator help

See BDE Admin Help

BDE Reference manual

See BDE Reference

BDE data type translations

See BDE data type translations

PdxEditor v. 5.12 for Paradox and dBASE tables

Update: 2026-05-13
32-bit single exe file for 32- and 64-bit Windows.
Largely a Borland Database Desktop replacement, this Paradox (level 3.5, 4, 5 and 7) and dBASE table editor and analyzer lets you read, edit and extract combined and calculated data from any Paradox and dBase tables, as well as processing SQL scripts (SQL command batches).
See feature matrix.
Application link >>
Associated Local SQL WebHelp: See below.

DBDemos Paradox and dBASE tables

BDE DBDemos Paradox and dBASE tables included with Delphi XE3: DBDemosD17XE3.zip

ASCII-8-bit extended
Paradox test table with ASCII 8-bit exended character set. Pre-selected language driver: DBWINWE0.
Download: ASCII-8-bit-extended.db.zip - Sample view.

Local SQL for BDE WebHelp recompilation

Update: 2022-12-14

Compatible with any standard browser.
As the original Borland Local SQL manual has been available in the obsolete WinHelp format only, not compatible with Windows 10, this has been recompiled into the more modern OS independent WebHelp format needing only a standard browser to display.
Recompilation is independent and of no responsibility of the original issuers Borland/Inprise Corporation.

View: Local SQL WebHelp manual
Download for offline use: LocalSQL WebHelp or HTMLhelp
For use with PdxEditor: unpack in .\Help subdirectory.

  

BDE - the Borland Database Engine


BDE Admin screen print from Windows 11

BDEadmin help as WebHelp and HTMLhelp.
If using the BDE:
1) First of all an admin user must move the configuration file (usually IDAPI32.cfg) outside the folder C:\Program Files (or equivalent according to your language locale), as Windows from version 6 (Vista) and onwards will not allow applications storing or altering data in this folder and below nor at the C root.
2) Second, the Paradox NetFile directory also should be directed to some location outside the C root (C:\) or C:\Program Files directory.

If so configured, the BDE still serves trustworthyly even with the later versions of Windows, 32- and 64-bit, including Windows 10.
For creating new tables on a Windows system you should use one of the ANSI language drivers, e.g. 'WEurope' ANSI.

Needs Administrator privileges as it accesses the Registry root key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE for some of the BDE configuration settings. Use "Run as administrator".
See also: BDE Admin webhelp and BDE and Windows 11

Missing the BDE?

  • Download and run BDE installer:
    BDE-install.zip (v.5.2.0.2)
    (execute installer in "Run as Administrator" mode)
  • Download and run Modified BDE installer preventing "Insufficient disk space." error when running SQL on large datasets. IDAPI32.dll modified acc. to Rick Kelly with included BDEKER32.dll. This fully replaces the original installer:
    BDE-install-m.zip (v.5.2.0.2)
  • Each of the BDE installers above may be run in command line mode as:
    BDE-install.exe /T   (test mode)
    BDE-install.exe /M  (manual mode)
    BDE-install.exe /X   (extract mode)

BDE configurator


Update: 2025-06-12
Single exe file for 32- and 64-bit Windows.
For the general adaption of BDE to be used with Windows 6 and later, the settings file (usually IDAPI32.cfg) should be stored outside the C:\Program Files and the C:\ root directories.
You may choose e.g. "C:\Data\BDE\Config" once and for all.
Using Paradox/paradox files with Windows 6 and later you should likewise change the standard location of the Paradox NetFile directory (NET DIR) to be located outside the C:\Program Files and C:\ root directories.
Paradox NET DIR location is accessed via the BDE Administrator (Windows Control Panel: BDE Administrator\ Configuration\ Driver\ Native\ Paradox).
You may choose e.g. "C:\Data\BDE\NetDir".
(Some applications may however wisely manage their use of NetFile as an independent per session setting avoiding the possible general conflicts about NetDir location.)

The app needs Administrator privileges as it accesses the Registry root key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE for some of the BDE configuration settings (just like the BDE Administrator app).

Especially with Windows 11 you may really need this tool:
Download: BDEconfig.zip
unpack, drop and run from anywhere.

Is BDE installed?

Update: 2023-11-08
Single exe file for 32- and 64-bit Windows.
To test if your PC has Borland Database Engine at all and if it is correctly configured.

Download: BDEtest.zip
unpack, drop and run from anywhere (except C:\ and C:\Program Files).

Borland Database Desktop 7 (DBD)

If you really, really need the original 1996 Borland Database Desktop - here it is.

Application link >>