Requirements > BDE and Windows settings

BDE - Borland Database Engine

The BDE is the core Windows database engine for Paradox, dBASE and FoxPro tables supplying the middle layer between data and all applications based on BDE and thus a necessary prerequisite for any of those applications.

Alternatives to BDE

Some modern database applications may alternatively use ODBC* for Paradox/dBASE connections or import, however often incompatible with Paradox 7 or dBASE 7 tables.

BDE version required

PdxEditor requires BDE version 5.
The version 5 BDE corresponds the version 4.0 or 5.0 drivers for Paradox, dBASE and FoxPro.
As PdxEditor is (mainly) considered as a supplementary tool for administrators of existing Paradox/dBASE databases, BDE is expected to be installed by the existing application. If missing, do install BDE by separate installation.
The currently active BDE version is displayed in the PdxEditor Help/About dialog.

BDE current status

The BDE has not been updated since 2001, but up until 2026 still supplied with e.g. the dBASE successor dBASE Plus and later dBASE 2019 - see dBASE LLC.
Most recent version of the BDE is version 5.2.0.2 of May 11, 2001, though the BDE has been distributed as a standard database tool along the Embarcadero Delphi and C++ Builder development tools up to and including Delphi/C++ XE6 in 2014.

The BDE version

The DBE Administrator's About dialog will report version 5.01 (© 1998), which is not the BDE version but the version of the Administrator exe.
To check the BDE version, do select the BDE Admin's Configuration tab and then check the Version Information from the Object menu (or check the PdxEditor's About dialog).

Adaptations for use with Windows 10 and 11

With the BDE Installer also follows the BDE Administrator that will install and will be accessible via the Windows Control Panel.

Installing the BDE

The BDE is dependent on a number of files and settings, so don't try installing it manually (unless you ...).
Rather, do use one of the available BDE installers and the installation will be straightforward and easy.

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*: For development with Embarcadero Delphi or C++, the ODBC connections without BDE are available only with the Enterprise or Architect editions, and thus not an option with the Professional or Community editions.