new

Creates a new database handle by opening the given filename. SDBM actually uses two physical files, with extensions '.dir' and '.pag'. These extensions will automatically be appended to the filename.

If the file does not exist, a new file will be created using the given mode, unless mode is explicitly set to nil. In the latter case, no database will be created.

If the file exists, it will be opened in read/write mode. If this fails, it will be opened in read-only mode.