About this book

Audience

This book describes how to use Sybase^® Real-Time Data Services (RTDS) to capture transactions (data changes) in an Adaptive Server^® Enterprise database and deliver them as events to external applications in real time. These data changes—or events—are delivered to applications through a Java Messaging Service message bus such as EAServer Java Messaging Service (JMS), TIBCO Enterprise Message System (EMS), or IBM WebSphere MQ.

How to use this book

This book helps you configure and use real-time messaging in Adaptive Server database applications.

Chapter 1, “Introduction,” discusses messaging concepts, models, and formats.
Chapter 2, “Understanding Real-Time Data Services,” is an overview of Real-Time Data Services (RTDS) specific to Adaptive Server.
Chapter 3, “SQL Reference,” documents the SQL stored procedures, functions, and global variables for managing and administering real-time messaging, and the general format of option strings.
Chapter 4, “Samples,” provides code samples that illustrate messaging functionality.

Reference documents

Real-Time Data Services documentation The Real-Time Data Services documentation set includes:

Messaging Services Users Guide for Adaptive Server Enterprise (this book) – explains how to use Real-Time Data Services with Adaptive Server Enterprise.
Installation and Release Bulletin – contains installation instructions and last-minute information that was too late to be included in the Messaging Services Users Guide.

A more recent version of this installation and release bulletin may be available on the Web. To check for critical product or document information added after the release of the product CD, use the Sybase Product Manuals Web site. To access the most recent release bulletin:
1. Go to Product Manuals.
2. Follow the links to the appropriate Sybase product.
3. Select the Release Bulletins link.
4. Select the Sybase product version from the Release Bulletins list.
5. From the list of individual documents, select the link to the release bulletin for your platform. You can either download the PDF version or browse the document online.

You may also need to reference documentation from Sybase products such as Adaptive Server, EAServer, RepConnector, and Replication Server. All of this documentation is available from the Product Manuals Web site.

Other sources of information

Use the Sybase Getting Started CD, the SyBooks™ CD, and the Sybase 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 SyBooks CD. It is included with your software. To read or print documents on the Getting Started CD, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download at no charge from the Adobe Web site using a link provided on the CD.
The SyBooks CD contains product manuals and is included with your software. The Eclipse-based SyBooks browser allows you to access the manuals in an easy-to-use, HTML-based format.

Some documentation may be provided in PDF format, which you can access through the PDF directory on the SyBooks CD. To read or print the PDF files, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Refer to the SyBooks Installation Guide on the Getting Started CD, or the README.txt file on the SyBooks CD for instructions on installing and starting SyBooks.
The Sybase Product Manuals Web site is an online version of the SyBooks 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 Sybase Product Manuals Web site, go to Product Manuals.

Sybase certifications on the Web

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.

Finding the latest information on component certifications

Point your Web browser to Availability and Certification Reports.
Either select the product family and product under Search by Product; or select the platform and product under Search by Platform.
Select Search to display the availability and certification report for the selection.

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.

Sybase EBFs and software maintenance

Finding 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

In the regular text of this document, the names of files and directories appear in italics, for example:

Windows: %SYBASE%\bin
UNIX platforms: $SYBASE

Substitute your Sybase installation drive and directory for $SYBASE in UNIX, and %SYBASE% in Windows.

Table 1 details the typographic (font and syntax) conventions as used in this document.

**Table 1: Font and syntax conventions for this document**
Element	Example
Command names, command option names, database names, datatypes, utility names, utility flags, and other keywords are Helvetica.	dsedit
Variables, or words that stand for values that you fill in, are in italics.	`select column_name from table_name where search_conditions`
Parentheses must be typed as part of the command.	`compute row_aggregate (column_name)`
Curly braces indicate that at least one of the enclosed options is required by the command (see comma).	{cheese, sauce} Do not type the curly braces.
Brackets mean that choosing one or more of the enclosed options is optional.	[anchovies, pineapple, bell_peppers] Do not type the brackets.
The vertical bar means you may select only one of the options shown.	{cash \| check \| credit} Do not type the curly braces.
The comma means you may choose as many of the options shown as you like; separate multiple choices in a command with commas.	[extra_cheese, avocados, sour_cream] Do not type the brackets.
An ellipsis (...) means that you can repeat the unit that the ellipsis follows as many times as you like.	buy thing = price [cash \| check \| credit] [, thing = price [cash \| check \| credit] ]... You must buy at least one thing (item) and give its price. You may choose a method of payment: one of the options enclosed in square brackets. You may choose also to buy additional items: as many of them as you like. For each item you buy, provide its name, its price, and (optionally) a method of payment.
Syntax statements, which display the utility’s syntax including all its options, appear as shown here, either in san serif font for flags and options (-v), or italics for user-supplied values (username).	charset [-Ppassword] [-Sserver] [-Iinterface] sort_order \| charset
Examples that illustrate computer output appear in `Courier`, as shown:	`pub_id pub_name city state ------ --------- ------- ----- 0736 New Age Books Boston MA 0877 Binnet & Hardley Washington DC (2 rows affected)`

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.