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Technical Reference: Communications, Volume 2

getprotobynumber Subroutine

Purpose

Gets a protocol entry from the /etc/protocols file by number.

Library

Standard C Library (libc.a)

Syntax

#include <netdb.h>


struct protoent *getprotobynumber ( Protocol)
int Protocol;

Description

The getprotobynumber subroutine is threadsafe in AIX 4.3 and later. However, the return value points to static data that is overwritten by subsequent calls. This data must be copied to be saved for use by subsequent calls.

The getprotobynumber subroutine retrieves protocol information from the /etc/protocols file using a specified protocol number as a search key. An application program can use the getprotobynumber subroutine to access a protocol name, its aliases, and protocol number.

The getprotobynumber subroutine searches the /etc/protocols file sequentially from the start of the file until it finds a matching protocol name or protocol number, or until it reaches the end of the file. The subroutine returns a pointer to a protoent structure, which contains fields for a line of information in the /etc/protocols file. The netdb.h file defines the protoent structure.

Use the endprotoent subroutine to close the /etc/protocols file.

All applications containing the getprotobynumber subroutine must be compiled with _BSD set to a specific value. Acceptable values are 43 and 44. In addition, all socket applications must include the BSD libbsd.a library.

Parameters

Protocol Specifies the protocol number.

Return Values

Upon successful completion, the getprotobynumber subroutine, returns a pointer to a protoent structure.

If an error occurs or the end of the file is reached, the getprotobynumber subroutine returns a null pointer.

Files

/etc/protocols Contains protocol information.

Related Information

The endprotoent subroutine, getprotobyname subroutine, getprotoent subroutine, setprotoent subroutine.

Sockets Overview in AIX 5L Version 5.2 Communications Programming Concepts.

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