File: gdbm.info,  Node: gdbmtool,  Next: gdbm_dump,  Prev: Compatibility,  Up: Top

24 Examine and modify a GDBM database
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The 'gdbmtool' utility allows you to view and modify an existing 'GDBM'
database or to create a new one.

   When invoked without arguments, it tries to open a database file
called 'junk.gdbm', located in the current working directory.  You can
change this default by supplying the name of the database as argument to
the program, e.g.:

     $ gdbmtool file.db

   The database will be opened in read-write mode, unless the '-r'
('--read-only') option is specified, in which case it will be opened
only for reading.

   If the database does not exist, 'gdbmtool' will create it.  There is
a special option '-n' ('--newdb'), which instructs the utility to create
a new database.  If it is used and if the database already exists, it
will be deleted, so use it sparingly.

* Menu:

* invocation::
* shell::