About the Database Checker
The Thermo‑Calc software package includes a program to check that the syntax of unencrypted database files is correct. The program applies the syntax rules set out in the Database Manager User Guide and reports errors and issues warnings. This program is intended for advanced users who develop and manage databases.
Thermo‑Calc accepts some deviations from these syntax rules. Although warnings can be ignored, errors must be corrected. Reported errors must be corrected in the TDB file before the database can be loaded by the application. Sometimes the warnings can also reveal the need for additional corrections as shown in the example below.
For example, a warning is generated if a phase name is detected that is also an abbreviation of another phase name in the database. Although allowed, it is not recommended as this can (in some cases) lead to unexpected results because abbreviations are also used when entering commands in the Console and included in macro files. The following shows why in this case an abbreviation is not recommended.
Imagine that a macro file uses the abbreviation ABC to refer to a phase in a database that is named ABCDE. As long as there is no other phase in the database with the same exact name or initial abbreviation, it works. But if a new phase is added to the database and is actually named ABC then the macro can in error refer to the wrong phase. The macro still runs but now refers to the phase ABC instead of ABCDE because ABC is an exact match, which takes precedence over abbreviations. The Database Checker displays a warning because this situation can only occur when one phase name is an abbreviation of another.
With respect to using this tool, the executable DatabaseChecker file is found in the Thermo‑Calc home directory.
The program can also be launched by selecting Tools → 
Database Checker from the main menu in Thermo-Calc.
Large amounts of RAM can be required when checking large databases.
The Database Checker application is standalone and available as indicated from the Tools menu in Thermo‑Calc. However, as required, you can run the DatabaseChecker.exe file as a stand-alone program from the file Thermo‑Calc installation directory.
Installation Default Directory: Windows, Installation Default Directory: macOS, or Installation Default Directory: Linux
Custom Databases: GES5 and GES6 Calculation Engine Version
As of Thermo‑Calc version 2019b, the default calculation engine is set to GES6. For custom database users, you may sometimes see messages in the log indicating that additional preparation is being done by Thermo‑Calc prior to a calculation. The preparation is carried out automatically; it is usually fast and only needed the first time a custom database is used after a modification. While databases with warnings are tolerated, databases that contain errors can only be loaded by GES6 after the errors are corrected.
The Database Checker tool uses the same parser as GES6 and can be used to verify the consistency and correctness of databases during development, before the databases are actually used.
To globally set the default from GES6 back to GES5, go to the Optionswindow Global General Settings tab and click Version 5 for the Preferred Gibbs Energy System setting. The SET_GES_VERSION Console Mode command is used to change GES versions for a single Thermo‑Calc session.
Contact Thermo‑Calc Software AB at info@thermocalc.com for more information about the changes or if you encounter any issues you think are related to the new version of the calculation engine.