Finally .dbf files has a structure like other files. you can learn .dbf table structure design and open it manual and read your .dbf file. I read other software firms datas (created in Cobol, C...) without know their data types with this way and gotten new customers :). At least you know your data type . But this is a forceful way.

In my opinion truncate file is not a good idea. Who knows truncated datas aren't your most important datas?