Quick footnote. As Peter mentioned you may be able to set up FileMaker to use the same format as the originating database.
C Sent from my iPad On 27/02/2012, at 9:35, cm <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Chris, > > I am a bit baffled at the range of replies and alternatives that you have > been offered. A file being written in XML does not indicate in any way what > the content of the file is or how it should be handled. It is really the > equivalent of say the file is in clear text or ASCII. Two applications that > both import and export XML will more than likely have nothing in common with > each other. Also opening an XML file in an editor and reading it, while > instructive is similar to extracting the text from a piece of software so you > can get a vague idea of what the program does. > > I am not sure if I am stating the obvious here so forgive me if I am telling > things you already know, but software has complete freedom in the tags and > content of an XML file in the same way that binary data can be in any format. > Both MicrosoftWord and say MYOB accounting software write data files but they > are incompatible and cannot be interchanged. > > To read an XML file, unless it has been deliberately put in a standardised > format, you need the original program that wrote the file, or a program that > deliberately uses the same XML format as the originating software. > > In your case, if you want to reconstruct the database, unless the XML has > deliberately been structured to be compatible with some other piece of > software, you will need the original database software. > > The above was written quickly as I have to rush of to do other things right > now, but if you need clarification please write back. > > Cheers, > Carlo > > On 27/02/2012, at 9:20 , Chris Burton wrote: > >> Hi Guys >> >> Many thanks for the replies on this; I had no idea that this presents such a >> range of issues. I can give you some background: >> >> The .xml file is the result of an export from a database run only on Windows >> machines. It was ( and still is being developed) by IT people at the >> Antarctic Division, and is a requirement by the Federal Gov to be completed >> while undertaking marine mammal observations during offshore seismic >> operations. >> >> We have to complete this database daily with a huge amount of info from >> environmental, operational and sighting effort and cetacean observations. It >> is a pain in the neck to be frank as I am used to the elegant simplicity of >> Filemaker Pro!! >> >> It is also one of the reasons I bought Parallels 6 this time last year so I >> could run it on my MBPro. Unfortunately after spending many days I was >> unable transfer my Bootcamp partition over to Parallels (to use my GIS as >> well as this Database), so have to use a windows machine while working on >> the ship. A real bummer. >> >> However I would like to try again to install Parallels during the coming >> weeks to get the bootcamp over so I can then install this Database. I have >> heard that Parallels 7 is now out; is there much difference from Version 6? >> >> Thanks to all for your offers and advice on other programs to use. I will >> try them and do have filemaker as well. I guess it is my lack of knowledge >> on what .xml is and not having to use it before that has stumped me. >> >> I have tried importing the file using both Textedit and Excel 11, but the >> format that is presented once loaded just doesnt look right (based on what >> the data looks like in this database)? >> >> Just tried with FMPro 11 and it shows a box asking me to 'specify an xml >> data source'. Now this is where Im stumped!! >> >> I have asked the person who exported the file to try exporting in another >> format, if available. >> >> Many thanks to all, I very much appreciate your time and input >> >> Kind regards >> >> Chris >> >> >> >> >> Christopher L.K. Burton >> Director >> Western Whale Research >> PO Box 1076 >> Dunsborough WA 6281 >> Mobile: 0419 199 120 >> Email: [email protected] >> >> On 26/02/2012, at 9:16 PM, Ray Forma wrote: >> >>> Chris, >>> >>> You supply very little useful information, so it is not possible to give >>> you much useful advice. >>> >>> 1 Does the file have an extension? If so, what is the extension? If you >>> have extensions hidden as a MacOS Preference, you can find the extension >>> using Get Info from the Finder's File menu. >>> >>> 2 Have you tried opening the file with TextEdit? If this works then amongst >>> the gibberish you sometimes get a hint as to what type of file it is, and >>> therefore what type of application may be able to open it. >>> >>> 3 Try the Finder's Open with, and then choose Other… as the application. >>> Then, at the bottom of the Choose Application window change the Enable: >>> choice from Recommended Applications to Enable: All Applications. Then >>> choose a likely application and see what happens. Keep trying different >>> apps. >>> >>> 4 Knowing what the originating app was would also be useful, even if it >>> came from a Windows machine. >>> >>> On 26/02/2012, at 7:00 PM, Chris Burton wrote: >>> >>>> Good afternoon muggers >>>> >>>> I have received an xml file from a collegue of mine (a result of an export >>>> from a database) and I cant open it with the applications that show up >>>> when 'open with' is applied. >>>> >>>> Can someone please point me in the direction of an application and/or >>>> utility that I can use to open it? >>>> >>>> Thanks very much for any advice on this >>>> >>>> Best regards >>>> >>>> Chris >>>> >>>> >>>> Christopher L.K. Burton >>>> Director >>>> Western Whale Research >>>> PO Box 1076 >>>> Dunsborough WA 6281 >>>> Mobile: 0419 199 120 >>>> Email: [email protected] >>>> >>>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >>>> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >>>> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >>>> Settings & Unsubscribe - >>>> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> Ray Forma >>> 50 Harvest Road, North Fremantle WA 6159, Australia >>> Tel +61 (0) 8 9335 6568 >>> Mob +61 (0) 428 596938 >>> >>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >>> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >>> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >>> Settings & Unsubscribe - >>> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >> Settings & Unsubscribe - >> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> > -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Settings & Unsubscribe - <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug>
