getnetbyname Subroutine

Purpose

Gets network entry by name.

Library

Standard C Library (libc.a)

Syntax

#include <netdb.h>

Description

The getnetbyname subroutine is threadsafe. However, the return value points to static data that is overwritten by subsequent calls. This data must be copied to be saved for use by subsequent calls.

The getnetbyname subroutine retrieves information from the /etc/networks file using the Name parameter as a search key. The getnetbyname subroutine searches the /etc/networks file sequentially from the start of the file until it encounters a matching net name or until it reaches the end of the file.

The getnetbyname subroutine returns a pointer to a netent structure, which contains the equivalent fields for a network description line in the /etc/networks file. The netent structure is defined in the netdb.h file.

Use the endnetent subroutine to close the /etc/networks file.

All applications containing the getnetbyname subroutine must be compiled with the _BSD macro set to a specific value. Acceptable values are 43 and 44. In addition, all socket applications must include the BSD libbsd.a library.

Parameters

Return Values

Upon successful completion, the getnetbyname subroutine returns a pointer to a netent structure.

If an error occurs or the end of the file is reached, the getnetbyname subroutine returns a null pointer.

Files