# DBM Functions [deprecated]

## Introduction

These functions allow you to store records stored in a dbm-style database. This type of database (supported by the Berkeley DB, » GDBM, and some system libraries, as well as a built-in flatfile library) stores key/value pairs (as opposed to the full-blown records supported by relational databases).

> Note: DBM support is deprecated and you are encouraged to use the Database (dbm-style) abstraction layer functions instead.

> Note: This extension has been removed from PHP and is no longer available as of PHP 5.0.0.

## Requirements

To use this functions you have to compile PHP with support for an underlying database. See the list of supported Databases.

## Installation

In order to use these functions, you must compile PHP with dbm support by using the --with-db option. In addition you must ensure support for an underlying database or you can use some system libraries.

## Runtime Configuration

This extension has no configuration directives defined in php.ini.

## Resource Types

The function dbmopen() returns an database identifier which is used by the other dbm-functions.

## Predefined Constants

This extension has no constants defined.

## Examples

Example#1 DBM example

`<?php
$dbm = dbmopen("lastseen", "w");
if (dbmexists($dbm, $userid)) {
$last_seen = dbmfetch($dbm, $userid);
} else {
dbminsert($dbm, $userid, time());
}
do_stuff();
dbmreplace($dbm, $userid, time());
dbmclose($dbm);
?>`

## Table of Contents

- dblist — Describes the DBM-compatible library being used
- dbmclose — Closes a dbm database
- dbmdelete — Deletes the value for a key from a DBM database
- dbmexists — Tells if a value exists for a key in a DBM database
- dbmfetch — Fetches a value for a key from a DBM database
- dbmfirstkey — Retrieves the first key from a DBM database
- dbminsert — Inserts a value for a key in a DBM database
- dbmnextkey — Description
- dbmopen — Opens a DBM database
- dbmreplace — Replaces the value for a key in a DBM database