Re: tools to check syntax of sybase interfaces file?

Hello,

I haven't heard of a tool that just reads through the interfaces file
to check
for errors. The dsedit tool which required write access to the file
is probably
the closest thing.

Using the dsedit tool from the same version that your client
application and
ASE are on should ensure proper formatting.

Some things to look for:
1) Tabs and spaces do matter, no matter what version you are on. Just
because
an improperly formatted entry works doesn't mean you should rely on it
working
now or in the future. Stick to the documented formatting:
http://infocenter.sybase.com/help/index.jsp?topic=/com.sybase.dc35831_1500/html/uxconfig/X79230.htm

2) You mention that you are using an older version of the software.
Old DB-Library
client applications required the interfaces entry to be in the TLI
hexadecimal style.
If they were not in this style you could get the error you refer to.

nstack_125
master tli tcp /dev/tcp \x000204e20a14106a0000000000000000
query tli tcp /dev/tcp \x000204e20a14106a0000000000000000

Whereas newer versions of the software can read the old style and the
newer, user friendly style:

nstack_125
master tcp ether nstack-sun 1250
query tcp ether nstack-sun 1250

To see what version of DB-Library you are using....

On UNIX type:
% strings -a $SYBASE/$SYBASE_OCS/lib/libsybdb.a | grep Sybase
Sybase DB-Library/15.0/P-EBF14153 ESD #7/DRV.15.0.3/SPARC/Solaris 8/
BUILD1500-093/OPT/Wed Dec 13 18:23:14 2006

(Leave out the $SYBASE_OCS if you are on a version prior to 12.0 ).

On Windows type:
C:\sybase\OCS-15_0\dll>c:\windows\system32\find "Intel" libsybdb.dll

---------- LIBSYBDB.DLL
Sybase DB-Library/15.0/P-EBF14847 ESD #10/PC Intel/BUILD1500-101/OPT/
Mon Aug 20 20:17:00 2007

.