code: private Map<String, String> getAttributePropertiesFromDBSingle(final String attributeName) throws DevFailed {
          xlogger.entry(attributeName);
          final Map<String, String> result = new CaseInsensitiveMap<String>();
          final Map<String, String[]> prop = DatabaseFactory.getDatabase().getAttributeProperties(deviceName,
                  attributeName);
          for (final Entry<String, String[]> entry : prop.entrySet()) {
              final String name = entry.getKey();
              final String[] value = entry.getValue();
              if (value.length > 0) {
                  result.put(name, value[0]);
              } else {
                  result.put(name, "");
              }
          }
          xlogger.exit();
          return result;
      }
docs: Get an attribute's properties from tango db
  
  @param attributeName
  @return The properties
  @throws DevFailed