[GNC] Best way to upgrade from an old version (2.6.14) to current

[D.]

Welcome back! 

Let me start with the last point first: in my experience, Gnucash's developer team is deeply committed to compatibility, and works to ensure that upgrades preserve ALL previous data. Furthermore, the default data storage is XML, which is text that is human readable, and fully transparent to the end user (I'll add the caveat here that for efficiency's sake, the file is usually stored in a compressed format, which cannot be directly read by humans, but which can be expanded and then read).

Under the circumstances, you can follow either path, but I'd probably choose to upgrade and update in place, depending on details. Arguing in favor of a fully new start in 4.4 is the simplicity of downloading that version and starting anew. Rather strongly against this, however, is the fact that you have already imported most of your history into the older version--a process that is usually somewhat painful. 

Under the alternative, you'd update the software, confirm your existing data, and then import new transactions from Quicken. This would allow you to build off the existing data set, perhaps quickly.

If you follow the upgrade path, the recommended method is to:
1) Make a backup of your data file.
2) Upgrade to 2.16.21, open your file and perform a check & repair on the entire file.
3) Upgrade to 3.11, open your file and perform a check & repair on the entire file. 
4) Upgrade to 4.4, open your file and perform a check & repair on the entire file. 
5) Export new transactions from Quicken.
6) Import these transactions into Gnucash.
7) Perform any reconciliations in date order.
8) Relax, don't worry, have a home brew.  (This last directive might not apply to the current set of activities) 

HTH, 
David T.



-------- Original Message --------
From: Tfastle via gnucash-user <gnucash-user at gnucash.org>
Sent: Fri Jan 08 11:53:01 EST 2021
To: gnucash-user at gnucash.org
Subject: [GNC] Best way to upgrade from an old version (2.6.14) to current

A few years back I was going to switch from using Quicken to GnuCash.  I
downloaded and spent a fair amount of time reading about GnuCash and getting
my Quicken Account imported.  For me, it was a bit of a learning curve and a
lack of time thwarted my effort.  I now hope to make the move for good.

My plan is to initially run GnuCash on my old laptop which is where I have
the 2.6.14 version now and concurrently run Quicken on my new laptop
(basically entering all the same transactions) until I feel comfortable and
adept enough to abandon Quicken.  I really only use Quicken as a glorified
register and tool to balance my main checking account but do have over 20
years of those transactions with regard to it.  The file I have in GnuCash
from my attempt a few years ago was imported from Quicken and represented
where that account was at that time.  That GnuCash file is not of any value
or importance so abandoning it is an option and no problem at all.

So my questions are:  

Should I "update" to the most current stable version of GnuCash or should I
just uninstall ver 2.6.14 and start over with the current stable version and
then import my current Quicken file? I suspect this is the best route to go
but, if for some reason updating is better, how might I best go about that?

I tried to figure this from reading various post online but it was pretty
confusing.  It appeared that files save in older versions often don't run in
newer versions so, to "update" (if it's even possible) I would need to go
through a series of updates to get current and still have my file read.   If
I end up just starting over then I don't really care about that from a
"getting to current" perspective but it does bring one question to mind. 
Once using the current version of GC how to avoid the problem of updating
but not being able to read your file from the prior version?  Is it just a
matter of updating in a timely manner as new stable versions become
available and then your prior version file will always be able to be read? 
I have to assume this is the case but would like to know before I put the
effort in to making this switch.  I intend to use it for a long time and
would hate to one day just be out of luck but (I can't imagine that would
ever be the case).

Lastly, it looks like the most recent stable release is 4.4, is that what I
should start with (or end up with via upgrade(s) )?

Sorry for how long this is or for being so ignorant on the subject.  

Thanks!







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