About this book

Audience

This document is intended for application developers who need access to data from Adaptive Server® Enterprise (ASE) on Microsoft Windows platforms using the ASE OLE DB Provider.

How to use this book

The information in this book is organized as follows:

Chapter 1, “Introduction to ASE OLE DB Provider” describes OLE DB programming and provides samples.
Chapter 2, “Connecting to a Database�” describes how to connect to ASE using ASE OLE DB Provider.
Chapter 3, “ASE Advanced Features” describes advanced ASE features supported by ASE OLE DB Provider.

Other sources of information

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/Maintenance, 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.

Sybase certifications on the Web

Technical documentation at the Sybase Web site is updated frequently.

To find 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.

To create 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.

Sybase EBFs and software maintenance

To find the latest information on EBFs and software maintenance

Point your Web browser to the Sybase Support Page.
Select EBFs/Maintenance. If prompted, enter your MySybase user name and password.
Select a product.
Specify a time frame and click Go. A list of EBF/Maintenance releases is displayed.

Padlock icons indicate that you do not have download authorization for certain EBF/Maintenance releases because you are not registered as a Technical Support Contact. If you have not registered, but have valid information provided by your Sybase representative or through your support contract, click Edit Roles to add the “Technical Support Contact” role to your MySybase profile.
Click the Info icon to display the EBF/Maintenance report, or click the product description to download the software.

Conventions

The following conventions are used in this book.

Functions, command names, command option names, program names, program flags, properties, keywords, statements, and stored procedures are printed as follows:

You can use IDBCreateSession::CreateSession() to create a session.
Variables, parameters, and user-supplied words are in italics in syntax and in paragraph text, are printed as follows:

For example, the statement int RowCount; where RowCount; is a variable of type int.
Names of database objects such as databases, tables, columns, and datatypes, are printed as follows:

The value of the pubs2 object.

Examples that show the use of functions are printed as follows:

ICommandText* pICommandText = NULL;
HRESULT hr = pIDBCreateCommand->CreateCommand(NULL,
   IID_ICommandText, (IUnknown**)&pICommandText);
pIDBCreateCommand->Release();

Syntax formatting conventions are summarized in the following table.

**Table 1: Syntax formatting conventions**
Key	Definition
{ }	Curly braces mean you must choose at least one of the enclosed options. Do not include braces in the command.
[ ]	Brackets mean you can choose or omit enclosed options. Do not include brackets in the command.
\|	Vertical bars mean you can choose no more than one option (enclosed in braces or brackets).
,	Commas mean you can choose as many options as you need (enclosed in braces or brackets). Separate your choices with commas, to be typed as part of the command. Commas can also be required in other syntax contexts.
( )	Parentheses are to be typed as part of the command.
...	An ellipsis (three dots) means you can repeat the last unit as many times as you need. Do not include ellipses in the command.

If you need help

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.