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The Write File utility (deprecated)

The Write File utility is used to manage database write files. A write file is a file associated with a particular database. All changes are written into the write file, leaving the database file unchanged.

Deprecated feature

The use of write files is deprecated.

Using write files for development

Write files can be used effectively for testing when you do not want to modify the production database. They can also be used in network environments where read-only access to a database is desired, or when you distribute on CD-ROM a database that you want users to be able to modify.

Compressed databases

If you are using a compressed database, you must use a write file; compressed database files cannot be accessed directly. The write file name is then used in place of the database name when connecting to the database, or when loading a database on the database server command line.

You can access the Write File utility in the following ways:

From Sybase Central, using the Create Write File wizard.
At a command prompt, using the dbwrite command. This is useful for incorporating into batch or command files.

The Write File utility runs against a database file. The database must not be running on a server when you run the Write File utility.

The database file cannot be modified after the write file is created, otherwise the write file becomes invalid.

Creating a write file using the Create Write File wizard
Creating a write file using the dbwrite command-line utility