search

This operator does a fast search of 'rdbtbl' using a binary search on a key of of one or more columns. The 'rdbtbl' must be sorted on the key columns. Each column in the key may be of type string or type numeric (but be careful with numeric data and exact matches).

The column(s) in 'keytbl' specify both the key column name(s) and the argument values to search for. 'Keytbl' is also in rdbtable format.

Normally an argument value and a data field must compare exactally for a match to occur (exact match). If the paritial match otpion (-part) is selected, and if the argument value compares with the initial part of the data field it is considered a match. This applies to string type data only. Note that for numeric type data an exact match is always necessary.

Normally all rows that match will be written to the new rdbtable, in the same order as in the old rdbtable. If only a single row key match is appropriate some execution time can be saved by specifing the '-sgl' option.

Options:

• -help - Print this help info.
• -ht - Hashtable index search, dbm type index file.
• -htr - Hashtable index search, regular UNIX index file.
• -part - Partial (initial) match. Applies to string type data only.
• -sgl - Only a single row match is needed.

This operator writes an rdbtable via STDOUT. Options may be abbreviated.