getnetent Subroutine

Purpose

Gets network entry.

Library

Standard C Library (libc.a)

Syntax

#include <netdb.h>

struct netent *getnetent ( )

Description

The getnetent 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 getnetent subroutine retrieves network information by opening and sequentially reading the /etc/networks file.

The getnetent 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 getnetent 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.

Return Values

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

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

Files