NAME

dbbuild − build a database from a script

SYNOPSIS

dbbuild database-shell-file

DESCRIPTION

dbbuild takes a shell command file, as produced by a dblist -p command, and makes the additions to the database as indicated by the dbadd commands in the file.  The result is the same as if the shell command file were executed, but it is faster because the work is done directly rather than by invoking each dbadd commmand. 

dbbuild can handle multiple database references in the shell command file, which means that you can combine several files produced by dblist -p commands, and execute them at one time.  Databases that do not exist will be created.  If desired, you can also add blank lines or shell comments between the entries in the command file; dbbuild will check the format.  Execution terminates with an error message if any other type of input occurs between the end of one entry and the next dbadd command.  Execution also terminates if an EOF is found in what is supposed to be a database entry.  Entries in the command file that were added prior to the "bad" entry will remain in the database. 

For information on the Emacs database facility, see the following documents:

Emacs Reference Manual

SEE ALSO

Several utilities, in addition to dbbuild, are provided for manipulating the Emacs databases outside of Emacs. 

dbcreate(1)creates a database. 

dbadd(1)adds an entry to a database. 

dblist(1)lists the keys in the database. 

dbprint(1)prints the contents of a database entry. 

BUGS

dbbuild can be confused by script files that weren’t produced by dblist -p, even though they are otherwise legal shell scripts.  In particular, the key argument to the dbadd commands in the script must be enclosed in double quotes, even though the quotes are not strictly necessary in a shell script. 

Version 2.5r1  —  December 06, 1986