GCA 5

[flyingwombat]

Where are the data files stored?

[Armin]

When GCA starts up, it prints a bunch of stuff to the Log pane; first version info, then a bunch of folder info, then the user bins (your personal GCA folders), then all the info on plugins it's loading.

GURPS Character Assistant 5 (GCA5, Version=5.0.209.0; GCA5Engine, Version=5.0.209.0; GCA5.Interfaces, Version=1.0.0.27)
64-bit.
OS is Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Today is Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Program Folder = C:\Program Files (x86)\GURPS Character Assistant 5\
System Data Folder = C:\ProgramData\Steve Jackson Games\GURPS Character Assistant 5\
App Data Folder = C:\Users\adsyk\AppData\Roaming\Steve Jackson Games\GURPS Character Assistant 5\
My Documents Folder = C:\Users\adsyk\Documents\GURPS Character Assistant 5\

User Plugin Bin = C:\Users\adsyk\Documents\GURPS Character Assistant 5\plugins\
User Library Bin = C:\Users\adsyk\Documents\GURPS Character Assistant 5\libraries\
User Book Bin = C:\Users\adsyk\Documents\GURPS Character Assistant 5\books\
User Character Bin = C:\Users\adsyk\Documents\GURPS Character Assistant 5\characters\
User Image Bin = C:\Users\adsyk\Documents\GURPS Character Assistant 5\images\
User PDF Bin = C:\Users\adsyk\Documents\Gaming\Gaming Resources & Books\GURPS 4th Ed. Books\
Default Library = C:\Users\adsyk\Documents\GURPS Character Assistant 5\libraries\default.gds

Finding built-in plugins...

So, the second block of data is what you want to know; it begins with Program Folder, which is where GCA is installed.
System Data Folder is where all the book files and other 'official' data is stored.
App Data Folder is where transient data is stored, such as preferences and temporary downloads.

These folders may change location based on how you install GCA. But in a default 'for everyone' install, you can find the system data at %ProgramData%\Steve Jackson Games\GURPS Character Assistant 5\ and book data specifically is stored in \books\ under that.

[Armin]

You should generally not change the files found in the \ProgramData\ folder structure. GCA will endeavor to keep those synced with the data available in the Updates system, so will overwrite or delete mismatched files.

You should store your personal data in the \Documents\ folders.

[flyingwombat]

I wanted to look at the data files so I can learn to write my own.
Thanks

[Armin]

Originally Posted by flyingwombat

I wanted to look at the data files so I can learn to write my own.
Thanks

Can't fault that. Good luck, and you're welcome!

[flyingwombat]

Can't update because warehouse 23 has lost the record that I bought GCA.

[Armin]

Originally Posted by flyingwombat

Can't update because warehouse 23 has lost the record that I bought GCA.

I'm afraid that I can do nothing to help with that. You should contact staff at Warehouse23 to provide whatever details you have, and see if they can fix that for you.