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UltraLite Database User's Guide

Developing Applications for the Palm OS

Choosing database storage on the Palm OS


On the Palm OS, it is important to distinguish between UltraLite databases and the Palm data store, which is sometimes called the Palm database. In this documentation, the term PDB means a Palm database and database refers to an UltraLite relational database. In addition to the Palm data store, Palm OS version 4.0 and later also support a virtual file system (VFS) on expansion cards.

Palm data store or virtual file system 

UltraLite databases can be stored either in the Palm data store on the virtual file system on expansion cards. The way of specifying the storage depends on the interface used:

Storage details 

When using the Palm data store, UltraLite actually stores database information in multiple PDBs, whose names are constructed using the given creator ID. For example, a database created with a creator ID of ABCD causes the following files to be created:

UltraLite uses the state PDB (ul_state_ABCD) to hold the current row on which the application is positioned for any open tables when the application exits. The state PDB allows UltraLite allows you to write your application so that when it is launched, users can resume where they left off.


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