# Open Database

This function is used to open an album or track database if not already open.

The path may contain any of the escape sequences described in Escape Sequences. At runtime, the path to a database must be absolute (/) or relative to the home folder (~/) and must have a filename extension of .csv, .tsv or .tab.

The Update database values after opening option effectively causes an Update Database statement to be executed after the open.

This function is not valid when executing grouped.

If the file is not already open and it cannot be opened, the typical result is that an error message will be displayed and action processing will be terminated. You can change this behaviour by setting the Silent option. When the option is enabled, a failed open will result in the action test state being set to false. A successful open will set the action test state to true. When not batch processing if the path to the database is invalid an error will always be posted. Note that the silent setting is always treated as enabled when the statement is executed while batch processing.

When this statement is executed while batch processing, the opened database will only be accessible when the Action Pending window is displayed. Typically this is when the user is being prompted. Even when accessible, the database will have limited functionality. Typically open databases while batch processing should be employed as a means of user interaction. Note that when a database is opened in this manner, the loading of thumbnails will be halted unless the Action Pending window is displayed.