On a DBGET of the master entry the status array contains the synonym chain information: word 1 = status word 2 = returned buffer len word 3/4 = current entry pointer word 5/6 = number of entries in the synonym chain, 0 if this is a secondary. word 78 = preceding entry word 9/10 = next entry A primary w/o any secondaries: 0000 000c 0000 0003 0000 0001 0000 0000 0000 0000 A primary w/ a single secondary at entry 1b 0000 000c 0000 0004 0000 0002 0000 001b 0000 001b A secondary entry: 0000 0000 0000 0008 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 One could follow the chain by doing a directed read DBGET mode 4. Mike Hornsby Beechglen Development Inc. -----Original Message----- From: Paveza, Gary <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wednesday, August 04, 1999 3:13 PM Subject: Master dataset synonym chains >I am currently working on a project to analyze a database. I am looking for >a method of returning the synonym chains from a master dataset, so they may >be transversed, either forward or backward. From looking at DBFIND and >DBGET, the status area only returns the chain information, not synonym. Yet, >under the section of the documentation that shows internal structure of >media records, it clearly shows that synonym chain information is also >there. > >Is there a way to access this information using HP intrinsics? > >------------------------------- >Gary L. Paveza, Jr. >Technical Support Specialist >All opinions are mine and not those of my employer