Reference Manual
   CHAPTER 4. Database Administration Utilities     

The Erase utility

With the Erase utility, you can erase a database file or write file and its associated transaction log, or you can erase a transaction log file or transaction log mirror file. All database files, write files, and transaction log files are marked read-only to prevent accidental damage to the database and accidental deletion of the database files. Deleting a database file that references other dbspaces does not automatically delete the dbspace files.

If you erase a database file or write file, the associated transaction log and transaction log mirror are also deleted. If you erase a transaction log for a database that also maintains a transaction log mirror, the mirror is not deleted.

You can access the Erase utility in the following ways:

• From Sybase Central, for interactive use under Windows 95 or NT.

• From the system command line, using the dberase command-line utility. This is useful for incorporating into batch or command files.

  Erasing a database from Sybase Central

  To erase a database file:

1. Open the Database Utilities folder in the left panel.

2. Double-click Erase Database in the right panel. The Erase a Database wizard is displayed.

3. Follow the instructions in the wizard.

     For full information on erasing a database from Sybase Central, see the Sybase Central online Help.

  The DBERASE command-line utility

Syntax 

dberase [switches] database-file

Windows 3.x
syntax 

dberasew [switches] database-file

Switch	Description
-o	Output log messages to a file
-q	Operate quietly—do not print messages
-y	Erase files without confirmation

Description 

The database-file may be a database file, write file, or transaction log file. The full filename must be specified, including extension. If a database file or write file is specified, the associated transaction log file (and mirror, if one is maintained) is also erased.

     For more information about the command-line switches, see Erase utility options.

  Erase utility options

Output log messages to file (-o )     Redirect log messages to the named file. Do not display messages on a window. This option is available only from the command-line utility.

Operate without confirming actions (-y )     Without this option, you are prompted to confirm the deletion of each file.