PDB (Palm OS)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PDB is a container format for record databases in Palm OS, Garnet OS and Access Linux Platform. Its structure is similar to PRC resource databases[1]. The PalmDOC eBook format is a special version of the PDB format[2].
Contents |
[edit] Structure of PDB file
A PDB file contains a PDB header, PDB record headers and records[3][4].
| PDB Header |
| PDB Record Header |
| PDB Records |
[edit] PDB Header
The PDB header is located at the beginning of the file and contains meta-information on the file [3]:
| Offset | Name | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0x00 | name | char | 32 Bytes |
| 0x20 | file attributes | integer | 2 Bytes |
| 0x22 | version | integer | 2 Bytes |
| 0x24 | creation time | Macintosh time | 4 Bytes |
| 0x28 | modification time | Macintosh time | 4 Bytes |
| 0x2c | backup time | Macintosh time | 4 Bytes |
| 0x30 | modification number | integer | 4 Bytes |
| 0x34 | app_info | integer | 4 Bytes |
| 0x38 | sort_info | integer | 4 Bytes |
| 0x3c | type | integer | 4 Bytes |
| 0x40 | creator | integer | 4 Bytes |
| 0x44 | unique_id_seed | integer | 4 Bytes |
| 0x48 | next_record_list | integer | 4 Bytes |
| 0x4c | num_records | integer | 2 Bytes |
[edit] PDB Record Header
For every record, there is an eight byte record header, containing[3]:
| name | type | size | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| offset | integer | 4 bytes | Byte number in the PDB file (counting from zero), where the record is located |
| attributes | byte | 1 byte | Attributes of the record (delete/dirty/busy/secret/category) |
| UniqueID | integer | 3 bytes | Always 0 |
[edit] PDB Records
Now the records themselves follow. The usual order is AppInfoArea, SortInfoArea and records, sequentially[4].
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ N. Rhodes, J. McKeehan. Palm OS Programming, Second Edition, O'Reilly, 2001, ISBN 1-56592-856-3
- ^ MobileRead Wiki: Specification of the PalmDOC format
- ^ a b c Paul J. Lucas (1998) PDB (Pilot Database) file format. Accessed on 20090308
- ^ a b Microfirst Software. The Pilot Record Database Format Accessed on 20090308
