This document, the Open Client DB-Library/C Reference Manual, contains reference information for the C version of Open Client™ DB-Library™.
This book is intended to serve as a reference manual for programmers who are writing DB-Library applications. It is written for application programmers familiar with the C programming language.
When writing a DB-Library application, use the DB-Library Reference Manual as a source of reference information.
Chapter 1, “Introducing DB-Library,” contains a brief introduction to DB-Library.
Chapter 2, “Routines,” contains specific information about each DB-Library routine, such as what parameters the routine takes and what it returns.
Chapter 3, “Bulk Copy,” contains an introduction to bulk copy and specific information about each bulk copy routine.
Chapter 4, “Two-phase Commit Service,” contains a brief description of two-phase commit service and specific information about each two-phase commit service routine.
Appendix A, “Cursors,” introduces DB-Library’s cursor routines.
Open Client version 12.5.1 includes DB-Library version 10.0.x. This version of DB-Library includes no new functionality but does include bug fixes made since the previous version.
Sybase includes DB-Library with Open Client to provide source-code compatibility for existing applications that are coded in DB-Library. Sybase recommends that you develop new applications with Client-Library™ instead of DB-Library. DB-Library does not support the new features added to Client-Library version 11and later releases.
For information on new features in the latest Client-Library version, see the Open Client Client-Library/C Reference Manual.
The Open Client Client-Library Migration Guide contains instructions for converting DB-Library code to Client-Library code. Developers who are familiar with DB-Library will find this document a useful introduction to Client-Library.
The Open Client/Server Programmer’s Supplement contains platform-specific material for Open Client/Server™ developers. This document includes information about:
Compiling and linking an application
The example programs that are included online with Open Client/Server products
Routines that have platform-specific behaviors
The Open Client/Server Configuration Guide contains platform-specific material about configuring the environment for Open Client/Server applications. This document includes information about:
The interfaces file
Environment variables used at application runtime by DB-Library routines
The Open Client/Server Release Bulletin for each platform contains information about DB-Library compatibility with Sybase Adaptive Server® and Open Server™ releases, as well as important last-minute information for DB-Library developers.
The Adaptive Server Enterprise Reference Manual describes the Transact-SQL® database language, which an application uses to create and manipulate Adaptive Server database objects.
The Open Client Client-Library/C Reference Manual describes Client-Library. Like DB-Library, Client-Library is a collection of routines for use in writing client applications.
The Open Server Server-Library/C Reference Manual contains reference information for Server-Library, a collection of routines for use in writing Open Server applications.
The Open Client and Open Server Common-Libraries Reference Manual contains reference information for the functions in CS-Library and Bulk Library. CS-Library is a collection of routines which are called in both Client-Library and Server-Library applications. Bulk Library is a collection of routines for performing bulk-copy operations from Client-Library or Server-Library applications.
Use the Sybase Getting Started CD, the Sybase Technical Library CD and the Technical Library Product Manuals Web site to learn more about your product:
The Getting Started CD contains release bulletins and installation guides in PDF format, and may also contain other documents or updated information not included on the Technical Library CD. It is included with your software. To read or print documents on the Getting Started CD you need Adobe Acrobat Reader (downloadable at no charge from the Adobe Web site, using a link provided on the CD).
The Technical Library CD contains product manuals and is included with your software. The DynaText reader (included on the Technical Library CD) allows you to access technical information about your product in an easy-to-use format.
Refer to the Technical Library Installation Guide in your documentation package for instructions on installing and starting the Technical Library.
The Technical Library Product Manuals Web site is an HTML version of the Technical Library CD that you can access using a standard Web browser. In addition to product manuals, you will find links to EBFs/Updates, Technical Documents, Case Management, Solved Cases, newsgroups, and the Sybase Developer Network.
To access the Technical Library Product Manuals Web site, go to Product Manuals.
Technical documentation at the Sybase Web site is updated frequently.
Finding the latest information on product certifications
Point your Web browser to Technical Documents.
Select Products from the navigation bar on the left.
Select a product name from the product list and click Go.
Select the Certification Report filter, specify a time frame, and click Go.
Click a Certification Report title to display the report.
Creating a personalized view of the Sybase Web
site (including support pages)
Set up a MySybase profile. MySybase is a free service that allows you to create a personalized view of Sybase Web pages.
Point your Web browser to Technical Documents.
Click MySybase and create a MySybase profile.
Finding the latest information on EBFs and software
updates
Point your Web browser to the Sybase Support Page.
Select EBFs/Updates. Enter user name and password information, if prompted (for existing Web accounts) or create a new account (a free service).
Select a product.
Specify a time frame and click Go.
Click the Info icon to display the EBF/Update report, or click the product description to download the software.
DB-Library routine syntax is shown in a bold, monospace font:
DBPROCESS *dbopen(login, server)
LOGINREC *login;
char *server;
Program text and computer output are shown in regular monospace font:
dbproc = dbopen(login, SERVERNAME)
Routine names and Transact-SQL keywords are written in a narrow, bold font:
dbopen, the select statement
If you have access to SQL Server® 10.0 or later, you can use sp_syntax, a Sybase system procedure, to retrieve the syntax of DB-Library routines.
For information on how to install sp_syntax, see the System Administration Guide Supplement for your platform. For information on how to run sp_syntax, see its reference page in the Adaptive Server Enterprise Reference Manual.
Each Sybase installation that has purchased a support contract has one or more designated people who are authorized to contact Sybase Technical Support. If you cannot resolve a problem using the manuals or online help, please have the designated person contact Sybase Technical Support or the Sybase subsidiary in your area.
