GDBM\_DUMP(1) GDBM User Reference GDBM\_DUMP(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

gdbm\_dump - dump a GDBM database to a file

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

**gdbm\_dump** \[**-H FMT**] \[**--format**=*FMT*] *DB\_FILE* \[*FILE*]

**gdbm\_dump** \[**-Vh**] \[**--help**] \[**--usage**] \[**--version**]

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

The **gdbm\_dump** utility creates a dump of the specified [**gdbm**(3)](/man/os/gdbm/gdbm.3) database file. The name for the output dump file is supplied by the second argument (*FILE*). If not specified, the output goes to the standard error.

The created dump can be given as argument to the [**gdbm\_load**(1)](/man/os/gdbm/gdbm_load.1) utility in order to re-create an exact copy of the *DB\_FILE*.

# [OPTIONS](#OPTIONS)

[**-H**, **--format**=*FMT*](#H)

Select dump format. The value **binary** (or **0**) instructs **gdbm\_dump** to produce a binary dump, compatible with earlier **gdbm** versions (up to version 1.9). The value **ascii** (or **1**) instructs it to create an ASCII dump (this is the default). The latter is preferred because, apart from the actual data, it also contains meta-information which will allow [**gdbm\_load**(1)](/man/os/gdbm/gdbm_load.1) to recreate an exact copy of the file.

[**-h**, **--help**](#h)

Print a short usage summary.

[**--usage**](#usage)

Print a list of available options.

[**-V**, **--version**](#V)

Print program version

# [SEE ALSO](#SEE_ALSO)

[**gdbm\_load**(1)](/man/os/gdbm/gdbm_load.1), [**gdbmtool**(1)](/man/os/gdbm/gdbmtool.1), [**gdbm**(3)](/man/os/gdbm/gdbm.3).

For a detailed description of **gdbm\_dump** and other **gdbm** utilities, refer to the **GDBM Manual** available in Texinfo format. To access it, run:

**info gdbm**

The documentation is also available online at

**https://www.gnu.org/software/gdbm/manual**

Should any discrepancies occur between this manpage and the **GDBM Manual**, the later shall be considered the authoritative source.

# [REPORTING BUGS](#REPORTING_BUGS)

Report bugs to <bug-gdbm@gnu.org>.

# [COPYRIGHT](#COPYRIGHT)

Copyright © 2013-2025 Free Software Foundation, Inc  
License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>  
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

March 6, 2025 GDBM

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Document: gdbm_dump(1) from gdbm 1.26-r6 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://git.savannah.gnu.org/git/gdbm.git