Data Dictionary Files, (DDFs) are the standard for defining the fields of data that are contained in files created and maintained by Btrieve database engine. Once you have DDF's defined for your Btrieve files, you immediately open your Btrieve data to the vast array of commercial tools and applications that now support the DDF format including Smithware Controls for Btrieve and Smithware Class Library for Btrieve, Microsoft Access, Btrieve Technologies' Xtrieve & Scaleable SQL, Concentric Data System's R&R Report Writer and Crystal Services' Crystal Reports.
Btrieve Technologies developed the DDF structure in order to use Btrieve files as the underpinnings of their relational database offerings including Scaleable SQL and Xtrieve. Btrieve is a data-model-independent indexed filing system, which means that the fields of information stored in Btrieve files is dictated by the application which creates and uses the files. The DDF standard was implemented to enforce the SQL relational model on files used with BTI's SQL products. New SQL-based database products from independent software vendors such as Microsoft with their Access and VB database and ODBC specification, have adopted the DDF method for defining Btrieve files. If you have valuable Btrieve information that you want to access, then DDF Builder is for you.