Converting from Foxpro

Types of files often used by Foxpro

When browsing folders on your computer, you will want to see the file extensions. By default, Windows hides extensions of files whose types are known to Windows. To see the file extensions in a folder, click the Organize pulldown, then select "Folder and search options", the View tab, UNcheck "Hide extensions for known file types". Your version of Windows may be a little different.

Files containing application data

These are files you are likely to see in your application data folder.

Extension	Description
.DBF	Data file for one table You are likely to have one or more of these.
.CDX	Compound index file for a specific table, not always present
.IDX	Single index file for a specific table, not always present
.FPT	Memo file for a specific table, not always present
.DBC, .DCX, .DCT	Database container and associated files Some applications do not use these.

Project source files

These are files that might be required to compile your application. Normally, a vendor does not provide these. However, some vendors include source files for custom applications.

Extension	Description
.FRX, .FRT	Report layout and source file (except for labels)
.H	Header source code file, gets included in other types of source files
.LBX, .LBT	Label layout and source file
.MNX, .MNT	Menu layout and source file
.PJX, .PJT	Project files to control application creation
.PRG	Program source code file
.QPR	Query program
.SCX, .SCT	Screen layout and source file
.VCX, .VCT	Class files, may contain screens and source code

What good will it do if you have any of these files? For one thing, the availability of source files will ease the process of reconstructing your application in a new implementation. In addition, it may be possible to automate some of the conversion process.It must be noted that the syntax and semantics of the Foxpro programming language are very different from those of other programming languages. There is no "export" or "import" available to make a conversion completely automatic. Similarly, the screen (form) and report layout files are structured differently from the corresponding files for other systems. Therefore, any conversion is going to be labor-intensive. Nevertheless, it may be possible to partially automate some file conversions. Annotations inserted into the output files would indicate where manual modifications are required.

Other files you may see

These are files that may be created by Foxpro under various circumstances.

Extension	Description
.APP	Compiled application, may require a separate .EXE to run
.BAK	Backup of .DBF file after structure change
.FXP	File compiled from .PRG file
.MPR	Source file created from Menu files
.MPX	Compiled from .MPR file
.QPX	Compiled from .QPR file
.SPR	Screen source code for Foxpro for DOS, created from .SCX, .SCT
.SPX	Compiled from .SPR file
.TBK	Backup of .FPT file after structure change
Other	If you see other files types in your application folder, ask us.

Last Reviewed or Updated: February 15, 2021