Product Overview

BTR2SQL is Mertech’s drop-in middleware that lets Btrieve-based applications work with Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL — little or no source code changes required. Replace the Btrieve access DLL with the Mertech driver, migrate your data, and your application is running on a modern SQL backend.

How It Works

Your application calls the Btrieve API (B_OPEN, B_GET_NEXT, etc.) exactly as it does today. The Mertech driver DLL intercepts those calls and translates them into SQL statements for the target backend. Because the driver is a drop-in replacement for the standard Btrieve DLL, the switch is transparent to your application. Both 32-bit (wbtrv32.dll / w3btrv7.dll) and 64-bit (wbtrv64.dll / w64btrv.dll) drivers are provided.

Diagram showing how the Mertech driver DLL replaces the Btrieve engine

The Mertech driver DLL sits in the same position as the Btrieve engine, translating API calls to SQL.

What’s Included

  • Migration Utility — GUI tool for migrating Btrieve/Pervasive.SQL data files using DDFs.

  • Command-line migration tools — Scriptable alternatives for automated or headless migration workflows. See Command Line Utilities for details.

  • Database driver DLL — Drop-in replacement for the Btrieve engine that routes operations to your SQL backend.

  • SDK — Extended API for features beyond standard Btrieve operations.

  • Trace tools and validation utilities — Diagnose issues and verify that migrated data matches the original.

Supported Backends

Each backend has its own native driver that connects directly to the database server — no ODBC drivers or DSN entries are needed.

Backend

Connection Method

Microsoft SQL Server

OLEDB (direct connection)

Oracle

Oracle Call Interface (OCI) via SQL*Net

PostgreSQL

Native PostgreSQL C API (libpq)

License Registration

A limited 30-day evaluation license is included with the installer. To request a fully functional evaluation license, contact Mertech at https://www.mertech.com/contact-us.

When you purchase or receive a license you will get a configuration file — sql_btr.cfg (SQL Server), ora_btr.cfg (Oracle), or pgs_btr.cfg (PostgreSQL). This file must be on the system PATH. Place a copy in:

  • The BTR2SQL installation folder (<Program Files>\Mertech Data Systems\DB Drivers\Btrieve\bin) — required by the Migration Utility.

  • Your application’s folder — required at runtime by the driver DLL.