|
|
Many data files use a one line per entry format; others use the
concept of a virtual line that may occupy several actual lines.
The format of the former type is represented as a list of
field names, for example:
field1 field2 field3
If the field delimiter is not simple whitespace (arbitrarily
tab or space), it is shown explicitly:
field1:field2:field3
The use of virtual lines may be more complex to represent; this
is an example:
name=NAME1|NAME2 [type=value]...
The pipe symbol (|) is used here to indicate that NAME1 and NAME2 are alternative values that may be assigned to name. The ellipsis after the optional assignment expression (in square brackets) indicates possible repeated occurrence of this term.
File formats defined by C structure declarations are given where applicable. Usually, the files containing these structures can be found in the directories /usr/include or /usr/include/sys. (Note that include files are part of the Development System.)
File formats that are too complicated in structure to be defined in this section are explained fully in the ``Description'' section.