dbf
Pure python package for reading/writing dBase, FoxPro, and Visual FoxPro .dbf files (including memos)
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need to work with legacy DBF files. The package has low install friction, no known vulnerabilities, and a permissive license. However, maintenance is aging (last release 346 days ago), so verify compatibility with your specific Python version and DBF variant before committing to production use. It is well-suited for one-off migrations and data retrieval tasks.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Low friction install with a single lightweight dependency (aenum).
- Last release was 346 days ago; the repository is active and not archived, though the project shows aging maintenance patterns.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD License (permissive) — BSD License (permissive) places no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in commercial or private projects.
last release 2025-09-02 (346 days) · last repo commit 2025-09-15 · 101 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 84,808 downloads/mo, #13,970 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import dbf
table = dbf.Table('myfile.dbf', codepage='utf8', on_disk=True)
table.open()
for record in table:
print(record.field_name)- Whether the package works reliably with modern Python versions (3.10+) despite aging maintenance status
- Performance characteristics when handling large DBF files or many concurrent operations
- Compatibility with all Visual FoxPro and Clipper field types in real-world legacy databases
What it is and what it does
dbf is a pure-Python library for reading and writing dBase, FoxPro, Visual FoxPro, and Clipper .dbf files. It maps legacy DBF field types (Character, Date, Logical, Memo, Numeric, Currency, DateTime, etc.) to native Python types like str, datetime.date, bool, and decimal.Decimal. The package represents tables as Table objects and individual rows as Record objects, supporting sequence, mapping, and attribute access protocols, plus context managers for automatic file handling.
The library is primarily used for retrieving and migrating legacy data from old database systems into modern storage, and for working with specialized applications like GIS software and personal finance tools that still use DBF format. It supports both on-disk and in-memory tables, custom data types with special semantics (like tri-state Logical values), and nonpersistent indexing.
Use it for
- Migrate legacy dBase or FoxPro data into a modern relational database or data warehouse
- Read DBF files exported from GIS software or genealogy applications for data analysis
- Parse and transform historical business records stored in Clipper or Visual FoxPro format
- Create or modify DBF files programmatically for integration with legacy systems
- Build data pipelines that consume DBF exports from stand-alone applications
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need to work with legacy DBF files.
The package has low install friction, no known vulnerabilities, and a permissive license. However, maintenance is aging (last release 346 days ago), so verify compatibility with your specific Python version and DBF variant before committing to production use. It is well-suited for one-off migrations and data retrieval tasks.
Install
dbf on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction install with a single lightweight dependency (aenum). Last release was 346 days ago; the repository is active and not archived, though the project shows aging maintenance patterns.
License in practice
BSD License (permissive) places no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in commercial or private projects.
Quickstart
import dbf
table = dbf.Table('myfile.dbf', codepage='utf8', on_disk=True)
table.open()
for record in table:
print(record.field_name)Verify before relying
- Whether the package works reliably with modern Python versions (3.10+) despite aging maintenance status
- Performance characteristics when handling large DBF files or many concurrent operations
- Compatibility with all Visual FoxPro and Clipper field types in real-world legacy databases
Package facts
| License | BSD License permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packageaenum |
| Maintenance | Aging 346 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 84,808 / month, #13,970 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Database |
Evidence: dbf-0.99.11-py2-none-any.whl; dbf-0.99.11-py3-none-any.whl
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See also dbfread · agate-dbf · pandavro · canmatrix · backports.csv · pyshp · pyorc · avro-gen3 · tablib · sas7bdat