The db_archive utility supports database backup, archival and log
file administration. It facilitates log reclamation and the creation of
database snapshots. Generally, some form of log archival must be done if
a database environment has been configured for logging or transactions.
The db_checkpoint utility runs as a daemon process, monitoring
the database log and periodically issuing checkpoints. It facilitates
log reclamation and the creation of database snapshots. Generally, some
form of database checkpointing must be done if a database environment has
been configured for transactions.
The db_deadlock utility runs as a daemon process, periodically
traversing the database lock structures and aborting transactions when it
detects a deadlock. Generally, some form of deadlock detection must be
done if a database environment has been configured for locking.
The db_recover utility runs after an unexpected Berkeley DB or system
failure to restore the database to a consistent state. Generally, some
form of database recovery must be done if databases are being modified.
The db_verify utility provides a command-line interface for
verifying the database format.
All of the functionality implemented for these utilities is also available
as part of the standard Berkeley DB API. This means that threaded applications
can easily create a thread that calls the same Berkeley DB functions as do the
utilities. This often simplifies an application environment by removing
the necessity for multiple processes to negotiate database and database
environment creation and shutdown.