Re: A Database file on unix machine

From: Mark Rafn (dagon_at_dagon.net)
Date: 04/26/03

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    Date: 26 Apr 2003 00:55:02 GMT

    BJP <bpoynor@ccfordmail.com> wrote:
    >This may sound stupid but I am unfamilar with unix programs and
    >standards etc... but I am trying to figure out what type of database
    >file that a certain unix program uses.

    >The database file itself has no
    >file extension, but has an accompanying .idx file which I assume is an
    >index file of some sort (DB file is "csmf", index is "csmf.idx") Does
    >anyone know how I can easily determine the file type, without of
    >course calling the software company?

    There are dozens and perhaps hundreds of formats which use a seperate data
    and index file and call their index file .idx.

    Honestly, you might try calling the software company. There are many who are
    willing to be open about their file formats. If not, well, you might want to
    avoid them in the future.

    Also, most Unices come with a utility called "file", which attempts to guess
    the type of a file by looking at it. typing "file csmf csmf.idx" may provide
    some helpful information. Or may be a complete red herring.

    In the end, you may end up simply reverse-engineering the format - put some
    known values into the database and see where they get written in the files.
    In many formats, you can ignore the .idx file because it's just there for fast
    lookups. All the data is in the main file. Maybe.

    >(I am trying to build a windows interface to the
    >DB file so I have to know the format)

    Good luck! 

    --
Mark Rafn    dagon@dagon.net    <http://www.dagon.net/>
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