Tables > Associated table files

File types that may be associated to the table files or the Database Desktop

The various BDE based data table files may have a number of associated files holding either accessory data (e.g. Memo or binary data) or information setting structure for the data table.

Besides the core data files the tables are often accompanied by their associated BLOB files containing their large volume data as Memos, Formatted Memos, Graphics and other binary data.

Some of the files are used only by the Borland Database Desktop (DBD)/the Borland Paradox application being without general value and may be deleted if not using the DBD or Borland Paradox.

Also, a number of other files may exist in a database project folder related to the data handling by the database application.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.dbf for further information.

Paradox associated files

File extension	Type of object
:DB	The Paradox main data table. This file extension is however also shared with numerous other data file types, without any relation to Paradox tables!
:LCK	Lock file for Paradox tables (temporary file). May prevent data access if left by some by some non-regular termination of an application using the data. May thus be deleted if necessary for re-gaining access to the data file. Warning: Never delete .LCK lock files unless you are sure no users are currently connected to the database.
.MB	BLOB files containing Paradox Memo/FmtMemo/binary data except BYTES.
.PX	Paradox primary index.
.VAL	Validity checks, Default Value(s) and Referential Integrity for Paradox table. Validity checks may be for Required Value, Minimum Value and Maximum Value - pertinent only for data entry. Validity checks will disappear if the .VAL file is deleted.
.Xnn	Secondary single-field index for a Paradox table, numbered.
.Ynn	Secondary single-field index for a Paradox table, numbered.
.XGn	Composite secondary index for a Paradox table.
.YGn	Composite secondary index for a Paradox table.
PDOXUSRS.NET	The general and dynamically maintained Paradox multi user lock administrating lock file created in the current Paradox NET-file directory. If changing the NET-file directory pointer to some other directory, this PDOXUSRS.NET file will be left in the previous directory and may be deleted. If deleted in the current database directory it will automatically be recreated as necessary.
PDOXUSRS.LCK	Paradox locking file guarding against conflicting concurrent record user access. May be deleted as necessary. The system may have to be restarted to release delete protection of the lock file.
PARADOX.LCK	Paradox locking file guarding against conflicting concurrent record user access by older applications (pre-dating the IDAPI/BDE). May be deleted as necessary. The system may have to be restarted to release delete protection of the lock file.

dBASE associated files

File extension	Type of object
:DBF	The dBASE/FoxPro/xBase main data table. This file extension is however also shared with numerous other data file types, without any relation to dBASE tables! - however dBASE being the original program using this extension.
.DBT	BLOB files containing dBASE Memo/binary data.
.MDX	Maintained index of dBASE table. Deletion causes table opening error - see detaching index file.
.NDX	Non-maintained index of dBASE table.

FoxPro 2.5 associated files

File extension	Type of object
:DBF	The dBASE/FoxPro/xBase main data table. This file extension is however also shared with numerous other data file types, without any relation to FoxPro/dBASE tables!
.FPT	BLOB files containing FoxPro Memo (binary data).
.CDX	FoxPro compound index file (since FoxPro v. 2.0). Deletion causes table opening error - see detaching index file.
.IDX	FoxPro index file, opens only on demand. For backward compatibility (before vers. 2).

Specific Borland Database Desktop (DBD) and Borland Paradox table/SQL associated files

File extension	Type of object
.SQL	SQL file. May be reused by other SQL applications (adaptations to SQL dialect may be needed).
.QBE	Query By Example file for semi graphic presentation of a stored query. Used by DBD and the Borland Paradox 7 and of little value for other applications due to proprietarity.
.TV	Table view settings on Paradox table. Used only by DBD.
.TVF	Table view settings on dBASE table. Used only by DBD.
.TVS	View settings for Paradox SQL output. Used only by DBD.
.FAM	Database Desktop's listing of related files (like a table's .TV file)
DBDWORK.INI	Temporary file created by DBD in it's defined working directory after ending data editing session. May be deleted.

Borland Paradox and Corel Paradox specific files

The Borland and Corel Paradox applications may create a number of other files containing forms, reports, etc., but without any significance if not used with these applications.