[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Symphony extraction scripts

[Tara Robertson]

Hi,

This is not an area I'm an expert in at all, however over the years I've
heard concerns from data migration specialists about publicly posting their
data extraction methods and migration scripts as they were worried that the
proprietary companies might sue them. I have also heard from people who
used to work for proprietary vendors who were worried that they might be
sued by their former employers. I don't think that posting extraction
scripts is the same things as reverse engineering a proprietary system, but
I know that various people have felt that this was too risky in the past. I
took a quick look and I don't see extraction scripts posted on the Koha
community website.

Perhaps it might be prudent to check with the SFC and get some advice on
this?

My two cents,
Tara

On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 8:38 AM, Lori Bowen Ayre <lori.ayre at galecia.com>wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> We've talked about finding a place to put data extraction scripts for the
> various ILSs and I don't think we decided anything yet.  Can we upload zip
> files to the wiki?  I ask because what I have here is a zip file
> that contains three files that can be used for extracting data from your
> Symphony system.
>
> I've attached the files to this message with a trailing Z to the file
> name. So rename the files you are going to use by removing that z on the
> extension first.  Did they come through?
>
> You can get the files from here (I hope):
> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p8h4sm5bgk4xz2x/ClAUltwlA-
>
> Instructions for using the files in that in the Dropbox Folder and are
> also below.
>
> If you can use these now, great!  For the future, where do others think we
> should keep things like this????  Dropbox doesn't seem like the ideal
> method but I couldn't figure out a better way and at least that way I can
> make sure they remain secure.
>
> Your suggestions welcome!
>
> Lori
>
>
>
> Instructions for Using the Scripts:
>
> Scripts for both Windows server and Unix servers included. You need
> command line access to either the Windows box or the Unix machine.
>
> You MUST be logged in as the "sirsi" user (called sirsi). On Windows, I
> think you can do this as Administrator also? Do NOT run it as root (unless
> you use an "su - sirsi")
>
> On Windows - put the 3 scripts, extract_all.bat and extract_all.sh,
> joinflatbib.pl onto the server and run the extract_all.bat file.
>
> On Unix - just run extract_all.sh (make sure it is executable, 755) and
> make sure joinflatbib.pl is there and executable.
>
> Here’s what the script does:
>
> 1.      Creates a directory /sirsi/Unicorn/WebCat/Tmpdocs/Data to put the
> data in.
>
> 2.      Dumps out the bib data in flat format (text) with holdings, one
> file for each bibliographic format in Unicorn (that is, BOOK, SERIAL, VM
> etc.).
>
> 3.      Then does the same again but this time in ISO2709 MARC21.
>
> 4.      Gets the catalog keys of the shadowed titles/items in Unicorn in
> case you want to hide these items from the public in the new ILS.
>
> 5.      Extracts the authority records in ISO2709 MARC (again, one file
> for each format, TOPIC, PERSONAL, CORPORATE etc.)
>
> 6.      Dumps the users/borrowers in a flat format.
>
> 7.      Charges (issues, loans, whatever you want to call them!) and
> the holds in flat format.
>
> 8.      After that, there is a whole load of reports with statistics (for
> info
> only) and a dump of the library's policies (item locations, borrower
> categories etc.).
>
> 9.      Then, all the acquisitions stuff comes out (vendors, funds, etc)
>
> Finally, it tars and zips all the data up so that you can easily
> transport it off the server to work with it on the new system.
>
>  There aren't any fines/bills in that script. You can get those if you
> want by adding:
>
> # Get the Bills
>
> selbill 2> selbillflat.log | dumpflatbill > flatbill.txt
> 2>dumpflatbill.log
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Lori Bowen Ayre //
> Library Technology Consultant / The Galecia Group
> Oversight Board & Communications Committee / Evergreen
> (707) 763-6869 // Lori.Ayre at galecia.com
> Availability:  http://tungle.me/lori.ayre
>
> <Lori.Ayre at galecia.com>Specializing in open source ILS solutions, RFID,
> filtering,
> workflow optimization, and materials handling
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
>
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