## file_getfirst

### Use

You open the specified database file. The first block of file content is displayed.

In the command line you can only use the DBM command to display the content of plain text files. Programs can access the content of binary files via the DBM interface.

For plain text files the data is read from the file line by line. Each line is extended by a line feed (0x0D,0x0A) in the output area.

On a UNIX computer, the line feed only consists of one character. This is why the value initially output for the file length may be smaller than the data length.

As you can only access database files with this DBM command, you do not need to log on to the operating system.

See also:

Glossary, Database File

### Prerequisites

● You have the server authorization DBFileRead.

● You have determined the file ID of the requested database file (see file_getlist).

### Syntax

file_getfi rst <file_ID> [<file_spec>]

<file_spec> :: = DATE=<timestamp> | LINE=<nnn>

Options

Option | Description
<file_ID> | File ID for the possible values; see Concepts of the Database System, Log Files or Configuration Files
DATE=<timestamp> | The content is output from the line with the specified timestamp
LINE=<nnn> | The content of text files is output from line nnn.

### Reply

OK

<file_handle>

CONTINUE|END

<file_length><data_length>

<data_line>

<data_line>

...

Values for the Reply Fields

Value | Description
<file_handle> | Numeric value that can be used for subsequent access to this file.
END | The content of the file has been transferred completely. The file is closed automatically.
CONTINUE | The file contains further entries that were not transferred due to the limited size of the reply package. You can display this data by entering the DBM command again or close the file.
<file_length> | File length, length of this information: 20 characters maximum
<data_length> | Length of the displayed data block, length of this information: 20 characters maximum
<data_line> | Data line

In the event of errors, see Reply Format.