Do we have the file format for the database files?

[sadffffff]

Say someone wanted to open the files and read them outside of rockbox, is there documentation on that? Or am I stuck having to read through the entire database source?

[psycho_maniac]

right click on the file and select "open" or "open with" then click "select the program from a list" and then select notepad. this is from a windows xp pro computer. is this what you were after?

[Mad Cow]

I'm pretty sure that they aren't just plain text. I don't think there's any way to read them, plus why would you want to? You'll have to read through the source and write a program to read them I would think.

[sadffffff]

right click on the file and select "open" or "open with" then click "select the program from a list" and then select notepad. this is from a windows xp pro computer. is this what you were after?

like madcow mentioned, they're not plain text, so opening them in this manner gives you a lot of, largely unreadable, garbage. thanks anyway though.

And madcow, writing a program to read them is exactly what I plan on doing. Well, its one part of what I'm planning anyways. I was hoping that the file format for these tcd files was documented somewhere. As in telling me what each of them (database_0.tcd through database_7.tcd and database_idx.tcd) does and how they are constructed internaly. As in byte offsets and fields and how they relate to one another. Otherwise, I'll have to either try to pick out what i need from the source or reverse engineer them.

[Llorean]

I'm pretty sure the source is arranged in such away that you can get away with just porting the header and .c file that handle the database into your own program, instead of trying to reverse engineer the format.

[sadffffff]

I'll look into it. I didnt poke around in the header file too much, it actually looks like it might be helpful.

So is that a "no, there isn't any direct documentation on the file type"?

I was looking to avoid some work is all. Don't really need to know how the entire database system works, just need the file info.

(incidently, is this the right place to post a question like this?)

[Llorean]

The compiling forum would've also been acceptable, I suppose, but in this case either works, and we always prefer you go to "General Discussion" if you're not sure, rather than guessing.

No, I don't think there's any documentation of the internal structure beyond that in the source (at least that I know of).

[sadffffff]

Well, allright then, in that case I guess i'll dive right into it.

Thanks much for the info.

[safetydan]

The database code can be compiled separately from Rockbox. Or at least it's supposed to be able to. If you're writing your program in C, this should make it easier for you to get started.

[Misspell]

sadffffff, you might find this usefull if you havnt already (source bottom right).
http://rasher.dk/rockbox/simulator/

Releated question (i think); if a person builds the dbase file(s) on there PC from/based on the mp3s on there iPod and then move or save the dbase file(s) to there iPod, will RockBox reconize that dbase when the iPod is started?

In short, thinking of compiling the dbase with a PC to save "Updating" and "Initialize" with the iPod.

_

[GodEater]

Releated question (i think); if a person builds the dbase file(s) on there PC from/based on the mp3s on there iPod and then move or save the dbase file(s) to there iPod, will RockBox reconize that dbase when the iPod is started?

You could of course just have the PC Application build the database straight onto the DAP. But yes - that should work if it's done properly.