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8.2. ldif
ldif automatically formats LDIF files and creates base-64 encoded attribute values. Base-64 encoding makes it possible to represent binary data, such as a JPEG image, in LDIF. Base-64 encoded data is represented using a double colon (::) symbol. For example:
jpegPhoto:: encoded data
In addition to binary data, other values that must be base-64 encoded can identified with other symbols, including the following:
- Any value that begins with a space.
- Any value that begins with a single colon (:).
- Any value that contains non-ASCII data, including newlines.
The
ldif command-line utility will take any input and format it with the correct line continuation and appropriate attribute information. The ldif utility also senses whether the input requires base-64 encoding.
ldif [
-b
] [
attrtypes
] [
optional_options
]
Table 8.2. ldif Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -b |
Specifies that the
ldif utility should interpret the entire input as a single binary value. If -b is not present, each line is considered to be a separate input value.
As an alternative to the
-b option, use the :< URL specifier notation. For example:
jpegphoto:< file:///tmp/myphoto.jpgAlthough the official notation requires three ///, the use of one / is accepted.
Note
The :< URL specifier notation only works if LDIF statement is version 1 or later, meaning version: 1 is inserted in the LDIF file. Otherwise, the file URL is appended as the attribute value rather than the contents of the file.
|
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