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5.6. Working with DNs and RDNs
In certain situations, the frontend passes DNs to the backend through the parameter block. For example, when calling the
add function, the parameter block includes a parameter that specifies the DN of the new entry to be added.
If you need to manipulate DNs within parameter blocks, you can call the following frontend routines:
Table 5.2. Frontend Functions for Manipulating DNs
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| slapi_dn_isroot() | Determines if a DN is the root DN (the DN of the privileged superuser). |
| Gets a copy of the parent DN. | |
| slapi_sdn_issuffix() | Checks if a Slapi_DN structure is the child of another suffix. |
| slapi_be_issuffix() | Determines if a DN is a suffix served by one of the server's backends. |
| slapi_sdn_get_ndn() | Normalizes a DN. |
| slapi_dn_normalize_case() | Normalizes a DN and converts all characters to lowercase. |
5.6.1. Determining If a DN Is the Root DN
To determine if a DN is the root DN, call slapi_dn_isroot(). This function returns 1 if the specified DN is the root DN of the local database. It returns 0 if the DN is not the root DN.
5.6.2. Working with DN Suffixes
A suffix of a DN identifies a subtree in the directory tree where the DN is located. For example, consider the following DN:
cn=Babs Jensen,ou=Product Development,l=US, dc=example,dc=com
In this case, one of the suffixes is:
l=US, dc=example,dc=com
This suffix indicates that the Babs Jensen entry is located in the Example Corporation subtree in the directory tree.
To determine if a value is a suffix for a DN, call slapi_sdn_issuffix(). To determine if a DN is one of the suffixes served by the backend, call the slapi_be_issuffix() function.
For more information on suffixes and backend configuration, see the Administration Guide.
5.6.3. Getting the Parent DN of a DN
To get a copy of the parent DN for a DN, call either the slapi_sdn_get_parent() or the slapi_sdn_get_backend_parent() function.
These functions return the parent DN of
dn. If dn is a suffix served by the backend, slapi_sdn_get_backend_parent() returns NULL.
When you are finished working with the parent DN, you should free it from memory by calling slapi_ch_free_string().
5.6.4. Normalizing a DN
You can use the following frontend functions to normalize and convert the case of a DN:
- Use slapi_sdn_get_ndn() to normalize a DN.
- Use slapi_dn_normalize_case() to both normalize the DN and convert all characters in the DN to lowercase.
Note
These functions operate on the actual DN specified in the argument, not a copy of the DN. If you want to modify a copy of the DN, call slapi_ch_strdup() to make a copy of the DN.
To compare DNs (for example, to search the database for a particular DN), use the slapi_sdn_compare() function instead of normalizing and comparing the DNs using string functions.
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