NAME

ab_library - collection of AnswerBooks browsed and searched as a unit

SYNOPSIS

$HOME/.ab_library

DESCRIPTION

An AnswerBook library is a group of AnswerBooks that can be browsed and searched as a unit by navigator(1) (the AnswerBook Navigator). Also included in a library is the list of bookmarks referencing that library's AnswerBooks.

The default library file is $HOME/.ab_library

navigator automatically creates a new library for the user if one does not already exist. Whenever the AnswerBook user adds or deletes an AnswerBook to the library via the navigator "Modify Library" pop-up window, navigator saves those changes to the library file so that they exist between AnswerBook sessions. Changes to the library's bookmark list are similarly saved.

The AnswerBook library file is created and maintained solely by the AnswerBook Navigator. It is not intended to be hand-editable.

navigator employs a library file locking mechanism to prevent data loss or corruption when multiple Navigator access the same library file simultaneously. The Navigator creates a lock file ( ab_library.lock ). If a lock file already exists, the Navigator informs the user that the file is locked, then asks whether the user wants to 1) quit, 2) access the library in read-only mode, or 3) override the lock. Locks should only be overridden when they are known to be out of date, i.e., the program that created the lock is no longer running. The Navigator removes the lock file it created upon exiting.

FILES

$HOME/.ab_library

Default AnswerBook library file.

$HOME/.ab_library.lock

AnswerBook library advisory locking file.

SEE ALSO

navigator(1)

NOTES

AnswerBook is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc., licensed to SunSoft, Inc.