dbf-parser

library0.0.1jsnpmunverified

An event-based, pure JavaScript parser for reading data from dBase (.dbf) files. Based on node-dbf but adds float type support, correct handling of numeric fields, and works without CoffeeScript. Version 0.0.1 is stable but minimal: only Character and Numeric field types are supported. Primarily for Node.js, uses EventEmitter for streaming output. Not actively maintained; alternative libraries like dbf or shapefile-js may offer more complete implementations.

serialization data

npm install dbf-parser

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · DBF-PARSER

dbf-parser

serializationjavascriptv0.0.1

harness data pending

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

No compatibility data collected yet for this library.

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

Parser

✓ const Parser = require('dbf-parser');

✗ import Parser from 'dbf-parser';

Package is CJS-only; no ESM exports.

Shows how to create a parser, register event handlers, and start parsing a .dbf file.

const Parser = require('dbf-parser'); const parser = new Parser('/path/to/file.dbf'); parser.on('start', () => console.log('Parsing started')); parser.on('header', (header) => console.log(header)); parser.on('record', (record) => console.log(record)); parser.on('end', () => console.log('Parsing complete')); parser.parse();

Debug

Known issues

gotchaOnly Character and Numeric field types are supported; other types (e.g., Date, Logical) may cause parse errors or undefined behavior.

fix

Pre-process .dbf file to ensure only supported types, or use a more full-featured library like dbf.

affects: 0.0.1

gotchaThe module is not actively maintained; last updated years ago. Known issues with large files and unsupported field types.

fix

Consider alternatives like shapefile-js or dbf for ongoing support and features.

affects: 0.0.1

gotchaUses synchronous fs.readFile internally, so large .dbf files may block the event loop. Documentation mentions intended switch to fs.readStream but not implemented.

fix

For large files, use a streaming parser like dbf (npm package) or chunk the file manually.

affects: 0.0.1

gotchaRecord field values are trimmed of padding characters, which may remove legitimate leading/trailing spaces.

fix

If field padding is significant, use a different parser that preserves raw content.

affects: 0.0.1

Errors

Common errors & fixes

Error: Unsupported field type: D

Date field type (type code 'D') is not supported.

fix

Remove or convert Date fields to Character or Numeric before processing.

TypeError: parser.on is not a function

Forgot to call new Parser() and use require correctly.

fix

Ensure you use 'const parser = new Parser(path);' after requiring the module.

Cannot find module 'dbf-parser'

Module not installed or path is incorrect.

fix

Run 'npm install dbf-parser' in your project directory.

RangeError: File size exceeds maximum buffer

Large file being read entirely into memory via fs.readFile.

fix

Use a streaming parser like 'dbf' (npm package) for files over 1GB.

Upgrade

Version history

0.0.1latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

No dependency data recorded yet.

Agent activity

10 hits · last 30 days

node

OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/tamtakoe/node-dbf ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/dbf-parser ↗