SEO

I've received a bunch of .dat files from a Sybase system for a data
conversion.

The problem is that I didn't get a data dictionary, and the third-party
folks are not being co-operative in providing one.

I know next to nothing about Sybase.

Is there a base file with this information in Sybase? Or some way I
can extract this information?

Sounds like you'll have to set up an ASE server and somehow 'import' those
files into them. Once you have the database9s) up and running, the schema
will be in those databases.
First, you will need a lot more info though: are these files database device
files? If so, you'll need to know *exactly* how to set up your databases;
don't expect to be able to figure that out yourself.
Are they database dumps? That'll be easier, since you can simply load the
dump into an ASE database. You'll also need to know from which ASE version
and platform these file originate.
In any case, it sounds you'll need to learn quite a bit about Sybase ASE
databases... You may want to pick up a copy of the ASE System Administation
Guide to pick up some basic concepts (just the first few chapters): go to
sybooks.sybase.com/as.html and download the PDF docs.

HTH,

Rob
-------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Verschoor

Certified Sybase Professional DBA for ASE 12.5/12.0/11.5/11.0
and Replication Server 12.5 / TeamSybase

Author of Sybase books (order online at www.sypron.nl/shop):
"Tips, Tricks & Recipes for Sybase ASE"
"The Complete Sybase Replication Server Quick Reference Guide"
"The Complete Sybase ASE Quick Reference Guide"

mailto:rob@YOUR.SPAM.sypron.nl.NOT.FOR.ME
http://www.sypron.nl
Sypron B.V., P.O.Box 10695, 2501HR Den Haag, The Netherlands
-------------------------------------------------------------

"blindsey" <blindsey@dsicdi.com> wrote in message
news:1126028722.241980.233450@g43g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> I've received a bunch of .dat files from a Sybase system for a data
> conversion.
>
> The problem is that I didn't get a data dictionary, and the third-party
> folks are not being co-operative in providing one.
>
> I know next to nothing about Sybase.
>
> Is there a base file with this information in Sybase? Or some way I
> can extract this information?
>