The SharkBase dbf Language & Compiler

Historical Notes:

Shark (originally known as VP-Info) is a scientific dbf language/compiler built on a sophisticated relational database foundation, similar to dBase, Clipper, and FoxPro languages with an emphasis on math and statistics. Shark is small, quick, and very powerful. Shark's dbf data files are 100% compatible with dBase, FoxPro, & Clipper files.

VP-Info was first created by David Clark and George Gratzer, at the University of Manitoba in the early 1980s. The first iteration was named dComp. The name changed over time as the original dComp was steadily improved and refined. The best-known release was published by Paperback Software, called "VP-Info".

VP-Info was a huge success (for good reason), and is still available as a download image package. The most recent iteration was called "Shark" or "SharkBase" depending on how you read the title on the User's Guide:

The SharkBase dbf database overcomes many of the short-comings of dBase & Clipper, such as limited size and flexibility, and the slow speed of dBase. Shark is also multi-user, multitasking on modern Windows systems.

The dbf file type:

SharkBase is unique in that it is able to read/write and import/export all known dbf file types. Files, indexes, and memos are read-compatible. Shark dbf data files can be imported into LibreOffice. On the other hand, dBase libraries are not compatible with Shark libraries, but this has almost no impact on overall utility since libraries have become incidental to the modern data management tasks on large,fast PCs. Shark also contains hundreds of high-level functions, making Shark most useful for large, complicated data management applications. In general, Shark is able to handle bigger projects, much faster, and more easily, than the others.

The ndx index type:

This version of Shark, published by Specialized Clinical Services for the scientific-user market, uses the more flexible "ndx" B-tree index also used by dBASE and Microsoft FoxPro. The earlier version released by SubRosa Inc uses the less common "ntx" Modified B-tree Clipper index.

Brief History:

Shark was first released in 1983 by Sub Rosa Inc as dCOMP^tm. It was revised and released as MAX^tm in 1985. Following the MAX^tm release, it was revised and renamed VP-Info^tm in an edition published by Paperback Software in 1986, and was immensely popular. The final development was the version developed for statistical applications by Specialized Clinical Software. It was loaded with useful, powerful math functions. In 1990, the Clipper^tm ntx-compatible network edition was developed by SubRosa International Inc under the name SharkBase^tm. In 1994, a sub-release based on the FoxPro/dBase index ndx standard was published by Specialized Clinical Services.

The SharkBase-ndx edition, published by Specialized Clinical Services Inc continues to be available. For end-user information/ purchase/ support, contact SharkBase Software directly. The Sharkbase website shows all the elements of the language and details of its vast number of math functions.