Preface
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## Preface

Welcome to Berkeley DB (DB). This document introduces DB, version 4.8. It is intended to provide a rapid introduction to the DB API set and related concepts. The goal of this document is to provide you with an efficient mechanism with which you can evaluate DB against your project's technical requirements. As such, this document is intended for C developers and senior software architects who are looking for an in-process data management solution. No prior experience with Berkeley DB is expected or required.

## Conventions Used in this Book

The following typographical conventions are used within in this manual:

Structure names are represented in `monospaced font`, as are `method names`. For example: "`DB->open()` is a method on a `DB` handle."

Variable or non-literal text is presented in italics. For example: "Go to your DB_INSTALL directory."

Program examples are displayed in a `monospaced font` on a shaded background. For example:

    /* File: gettingstarted_common.h */
    typedef struct stock_dbs {
        DB *inventory_dbp; /* Database containing inventory information */
        DB *vendor_dbp;    /* Database containing vendor information */

        char *db_home_dir;       /* Directory containing the database files */
        char *inventory_db_name; /* Name of the inventory database */
        char *vendor_db_name;    /* Name of the vendor database */
    } STOCK_DBS;

In some situations, programming examples are updated from one chapter to the next. When this occurs, the new code is presented in `monospaced bold` font. For example:

    typedef struct stock_dbs {
        DB *inventory_dbp; /* Database containing inventory information */
        DB *vendor_dbp;    /* Database containing vendor information */
        DB *itemname_sdbp; /* Index based on the item name index */
        char *db_home_dir;       /* Directory containing the database files */
        char *itemname_db_name;  /* Itemname secondary database */
        char *inventory_db_name; /* Name of the inventory database */
        char *vendor_db_name;    /* Name of the vendor database */
    } STOCK_DBS;

### Note

Finally, notes of interest are represented using a note block such as this.

### For More Information

Beyond this manual, you may also find the following sources of information useful when building a DB application:

- Getting Started with Transaction Processing for C

- Berkeley DB Getting Started with Replicated Applications for C

- Berkeley DB Programmer's Reference Guide

- Berkeley DB C API

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