Directory Server LDIF and Search Filters

Directory Server uses the LDAP Data Interchange Format (LDIF) to describe a directory and its entries in text format. LDIF can be used to build the initial directory database or to add large numbers of entries to a directory. LDIF can also be used to describe changes to directory entries. Most command-line utilities rely on LDIF for input or output.

All directory data is stored by using the UTF-8 encoding of Unicode, and, therefore, LDIF files must also be UTF-8 encoded.

This chapter also provides information about searching the directory, and LDAP search filters.

For information about LDIF and searching the directory, see the following sections:

• LDIF File Format

• Directory Entries in LDIF

• Guidelines for Defining Directories by Using LDIF

• Storing Information in Multiple Languages

• Guidelines for Providing LDIF Input

• Searching the Directory