INFORMIX-ESQL/C Programmer's Manual Working with Character and String Data Types

The ESQL/C library contains the following character-manipulation functions. You can use these functions in your C programs to manipulate single characters and strings of bytes and characters, including variable-length expressions of the following data types:

• varchar
• fixed-size lvarchar

The internal structure referenced by the lvarchar pointer data type is different than the character representation of a fixed-size lvarchar variable. You must use the ifx_var() functions to manipulate lvarchar pointer variables. For more information on the ifx_var() functions, see The lvarchar pointer and var binary Library Functions.

The functions whose names begin with by act on and return fixed-length strings of bytes. The functions whose names begin with rst and st (except stchar) operate on and return null-terminated strings. The rdownshift() and rupshift() functions also operate on null-terminated strings but do not return values. When you compile your ESQL/C program with the esql preprocessor, it calls on the linker to link these functions to your program. The following list provides brief descriptions of the character and string library functions and refers you to the pages where detailed information for each function is given.