does not work on freeBSD but works on linux, and windows

[Tuure Laurinolli]

> I then test the dbf file by attemping to open the file with foxpro and 
> the file is corrupt (not a table).  The strange thing the same code 
> works from XP, and Linux (both are python 2.3).  I don't know much about 
> freeBSD and I'm not sure if I can install 2.3.

Sure you can install 2.3. The ports tree(collection of third party 
software) is pretty much separate from the rest of the OS and is usually 
kept up to date even on older OS versions as not doing so would result 
in huge security holes. On FreeBSD updating through minor versions 
should also be painless, so upgrading to 4.10 shouldn't be a big deal. 
Running the SCO binary(?) should be handled by the kernel transparently.

The Handbook at freebsd.org is really helpful in learning the system.

Anyway, back to the problem, is the file of correct size? If it is, you 
could try to look at it in raw format(with a hex editor most probably, 
hexedit port in FreeBSD) to see if you can figure out what is garbled.