PRB: "File Is in Use" OpenDBF Error with FOXAPP.APP

ID: Q103279

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5a
Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5 and 2.5a
Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, versions 2.5x

SYMPTOMS

When you run FOXAPP.APP, the following error may occur:

   Line No. 911
   Program: OpenDBF
   Error: File is in use.
   Source: Use

The line number will vary, according to the version of FoxPro being used.

CAUSE

This error occurs when the database name contains special characters that cause FoxPro to open the database under a different alias than the name of the database.

The following characters will cause this error:

   ! @ # $ % ^ & ( ) - '

For example, the command USE Y-XXX.DBF will create an alias of the name of the work area that Y-XXX.DBF was opened in, rather than the name of the database. Therefore, if Y-XXX.DBF was opened in work area 1, the alias name will be "1" instead of "Y-XXX".

In FoxPro version 2.5 for MS-DOS and FoxPro version 2.5 for Windows only, a database name beginning with a numeral will also cause this error.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, remove the special characters from the name.

Additional reference words: FoxDos FoxWin FoxMac 2.00 2.50 2.50a 2.50b 2.50c workarea KBCategory: kbprg kberrmsg kbprb KBSubcategory: FxtoolGeneral

Last Reviewed: June 27, 1995