Topic group Related topics

Establishes whether a newly created dBASE table is encrypted if PROTECT is used.

Syntax

SET ENCRYPTION ON | off

Default

The default for SET ENCRYPTION is ON.

Description

This command determines whether copied dBASE tables (that is, tables created through the COPY, JOIN, and TOTAL commands) are created as encrypted tables. An encrypted table contains data encrypted into another form to hide the contents of the original table. An encrypted table can only be read after the encryption has been deciphered or copied to another table in decrypted form.

To access an encrypted table, you must enter a valid user name, group name, and password after the login screen prompts. Your authorization and access level determine whether you can or cannot copy an encrypted table. After you access the table, SET ENCRYPTION OFF to copy the table to a decrypted form. You need to do this if you wish to use EXPORT, COPY STRUCTURE EXTENDED, MODIFY STRUCTURE, or options of the COPY TO command.

Note

Encryption works only with dBASE (.DBF) tables. Encryption works only with PROTECT. If you do not enter dBASE Plus or access the table through the log-in screen, you will not be able to use encrypted tables.

All encrypted tables used concurrently in an application must have the same group name.

Encrypted tables cannot be JOINed with unencrypted tables. Make both tables either encrypted or unencrypted before JOINing them.

You can encrypt any newly created table by assigning the table an access level through PROTECT.