Make Joint USCF Database - Database Menu
Database Combination Overview
This utility lets you combine two USCF databases into one master database that you can use to import players easily without having to swap back and forth between a primary and a secondary database.
USCF Database Structure
A USCF database can only hold two ratings. Because of this, the USCF needs to maintain two separate databases to cover all three of their player ratings:
- One database holds regular ratings and quick ratings
- The other database holds regular ratings and blitz ratings
Merging Process
To merge the two databases into one that holds all three player ratings, tell SwissSys what the two combining databases are in the boxes provided. These will be the two files described above that you obtained from the USCF.
Requirements for Merge
In order for the merge to work, you must observe the following requirements regarding your two combining database files:
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They must be of the same type, either the regular USCF database format or their Golden Database format.
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They must reside in separate folders.
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They must have the expected names: TARSFLE.DBF for the regular format, TARATSUP.DBF for the Golden Database format. (If your names are different, rename them to these standards first.)
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They must have index files. If the index files are not included, you must first index both of the combining files by using the Database Wizard or Database Setup dialog to declare these files as your primary database and then index them when prompted.
Using the Combined Database
The combined database file can be called anything you like (although it requires the .dbf extension). Once you have created this joint file (the process may take several minutes to complete), SwissSys can make it your primary database.
After that, you can load the correct player rating based on your choice of what rating to use when you first start registering players for a tournament.
Rating Display
SwissSys still only makes room for two ratings in the database listings that you see in the registration dialog. The regular rating will always be the first one shown. The other rating will be quick/active if you have chosen either regular or quick ratings, or the blitz rating if you have chosen the blitz rating option.
If you get mixed up about which rating you are importing, check out the bottom of the database display in the registration dialog, where you will see the two ratings displayed, with the currently imported rating listed in capital letters.