Description Files
Using Description Files to Store Btrieve File Information
A description file is an ASCII text file that contains descriptions of file and key specifications that the Maintenance utility can use to create data files and indexes. Some users employ description files as a vehicle for archiving information about the data files they have created. Description files are not the same as DDFs, or Data Dictionary Files, used by the Relational Engine.
Description files contain one or more elements. An element consists of a keyword, followed by an equal sign (=), followed by a value (with no space). Each element in a description file corresponds to a particular characteristic of a data file or key specification.
*Note: Before using description files, you should be familiar with Btrieve fundamentals. For information about these topics, see PSQL Programmer's Guide.
This appendix discusses the following topics:
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Rules for Description Files
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Description File Examples
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Description File Elements