You can work with functions and function strings to customize database operations in any of these ways:
Create a new function-string class for use with a specific type of database, and customize some or all of the function strings. See “Managing function-string classes” for detailed information.
For atomic materialization, use a function from a function-string class associated with the primary database connection, not a function from the function-string class associated with the replicate database connection.
Alter function strings for the system-provided function-string class, rs_sqlserver_function_class. See “Managing function strings” for detailed information.
Create a function-string class that inherits, either directly or indirectly, function strings from the system-provided function-string class rs_default_function_class.
Use the system-provided function-string classes for non-Sybase data servers: rs_db2_function_class, rs_mss_function_class, or rs_oracle_function_class. See “Translating datatypes using HDS” on page 329 in the Replication Server Administration Guide Volume 1 for detailed information on datatype translations using the heterogeneous datatype support (HDS) feature.
This section provides an overview of functions, function strings, and function-string classes. The following sections include a summary of the system functions, procedures, and guidelines for managing function strings and function-string classes. They also summarize commands for displaying information about the function strings and classes in the replication system.
You can work with functions, function strings, and classes using Sybase Central or RCL commands. This chapter describes procedures and RCL commands that you enter at the command line using isql.
Refer to Chapter 4, “Replication Server System Functions,” in the Replication Server Reference Manual for more information about the system functions.
