dBASE III Plus - Tips and Tricks for Creating and Managing Databases
How to Download dBase 3 Plus
If you are looking for a classic database management system for your CP/M or MS-DOS computer, you might be interested in downloading dBase 3 Plus. In this article, we will explain what dBase 3 Plus is, why you might want to download it, where you can find it, and how you can install and run it on your computer.
What is dBase 3 Plus?
dBase 3 Plus is a database management system that was released in 1986 by Ashton-Tate. It was one of the first and most successful database systems for microcomputers. It allowed users to create, manage, and manipulate data using a core database engine, a query system, a forms engine, and a programming language. It also supported multiple users, networking, and printing.
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dBase 3 Plus was based on the earlier versions of dBase, which were developed by Cecil Wayne Ratliff in the late 1970s. The first version of dBase was called Vulcan and was designed for PTDOS. It was later ported to CP/M and caught the attention of Ashton-Tate, who licensed it and re-released it as dBase II in 1980. dBase II was then ported to MS-DOS and became one of the best-selling software titles for the IBM PC.
dBase III was released in 1984 as a major upgrade that added many new features, such as a character-based menu system, improved performance, enhanced security, and more data types. It also spawned many clones and competitors that used the same file format (.dbf) and programming language (xBase), such as Clipper, FoxBASE+, FoxPro, Visual FoxPro, Harbour, etc.
Why Download dBase 3 Plus?
There are several reasons why you might want to download dBase 3 Plus today. Here are some of them:
Nostalgia: If you used dBase 3 Plus in the past, you might want to relive the memories of working with this classic software. You can also see how far database technology has evolved since then.
Compatibility: If you have some old data files or applications that were created with dBase 3 Plus, you might want to access them or run them on your modern computer. You can also convert them to other formats or platforms if needed.
Learning: If you are interested in learning about database systems or programming languages, you might want to download dBase 3 Plus as an example of a historical software that influenced many others. You can also compare it with other database systems or programming languages that are more modern or popular.
Where to Download dBase 3 Plus
Now that you know what dBase 3 Plus is and why you might want to download it, the next question is where you can find it. There are several sources that offer dBase 3 Plus for download, but not all of them are reliable or legal. Here are some of the options you can consider:
Official Source
The official source of dBase 3 Plus is the website of dBase, LLC, the current owner of the dBase brand and products. You can visit their website at and navigate to the Products section. There you will find a link to download dBase 3 Plus for free.
However, there are some caveats to this option. First, you will need to register an account and provide some personal information, such as your name, email, phone number, and address. Second, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions of the license agreement, which states that you can only use dBase 3 Plus for personal, non-commercial purposes. Third, you will need to verify your email address and wait for a confirmation email with the download link.
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Alternative Sources
If you don't want to go through the hassle of registering and agreeing to the license agreement, you can look for alternative sources that offer dBase 3 Plus for download. However, you should be careful and cautious when doing so, as some of these sources may not be trustworthy or legal. Here are some of the alternative sources you can try:
WinWorld: WinWorld is a website that provides downloads of old and abandoned software for various platforms. You can visit their website at and search for dBase 3 Plus. You will find several versions of dBase 3 Plus for different operating systems, such as CP/M-86, MS-DOS, and Windows 3.x. You can download them as ZIP files or disk images.
Internet Archive: Internet Archive is a website that preserves and provides access to digital content, such as books, music, videos, and software. You can visit their website at and search for dBase 3 Plus. You will find several copies of dBase 3 Plus from different sources, such as magazines, books, or CDs. You can download them as ZIP files or disk images.
Tips and Warnings
Before you download dBase 3 Plus from any source, you should consider some tips and warnings to avoid any problems or issues. Here are some of them:
Check the file integrity: Before you open or install any file that you download from the internet, you should check its integrity using a tool such as MD5 or SHA-1. This will help you verify that the file has not been corrupted or tampered with during the download or transmission process.
Check the legality: Before you download or use any software that is not offered by its official source, you should check its legality in your jurisdiction. Some software may be protected by intellectual property rights or other laws that prohibit unauthorized distribution or use. You should respect the rights of the software owners and developers and comply with the applicable laws.
Check the compatibility: Before you install or run any software that is designed for an older platform or operating system, you should check its compatibility with your current platform or operating system. Some software may not work properly or at all on newer platforms or operating systems due to differences in hardware, software, or drivers. You may need to use an emulator or a virtual machine to run such software.
How to Install and Run dBase 3 Plus
After you have downloaded dBase 3 Plus from your preferred source, you are ready to install and run it on your computer. However, since dBase 3 Plus is an old software that was designed for CP/M or MS-DOS, you may encounter some challenges or difficulties in doing so. In this section, we will guide you through the steps of installing and running dBase 3 Plus on your computer.
Installation Steps
The installation steps of dBase 3 Plus may vary depending on the source and format of the file that you downloaded. Here are some general steps that you can follow:
Prepare a floppy disk or a virtual drive: If you downloaded dBase 3 Plus as a disk image, such as .img or .ima, you will need to write it to a floppy disk or mount it to a virtual drive. You can use a tool such as WinImage or Virtual Floppy Drive to do this. If you downloaded dBase 3 Plus as a ZIP file, you will need to extract it to a floppy disk or a virtual drive. You can use a tool such as WinZip or 7-Zip to do this.
Boot into CP/M or MS-DOS: If you have a CP/M or MS-DOS computer, you can simply boot into it and insert the floppy disk or access the virtual drive. If you have a Windows computer, you will need to use an emulator or a virtual machine to boot into CP/M or MS-DOS. You can use a tool such as DOSBox or VirtualBox to do this.
Run the installation program: Once you are in CP/M or MS-DOS, you will need to run the installation program of dBase 3 Plus. The name of the program may vary depending on the version and source of dBase 3 Plus, but it is usually something like INSTALL.EXE, SETUP.EXE, or DBASE.EXE. You will need to type the name of the program followed by the drive letter of the floppy disk or the virtual drive, such as A:INSTALL.EXE or B:DBASE.EXE.
Follow the installation instructions: The installation program of dBase 3 Plus will guide you through the installation process. You will need to answer some questions and make