To read and write columns that contain large objects (such as long varchar and long byte types), create routines called data handlers. Data handlers use GET DATA and PUT DATA statements to read and write segments of large object data. To invoke a data handler, specify the DATAHANDLER clause in an INSERT, UPDATE, FETCH, or SELECT statement. When the query is executed, the data handler routine is invoked to read or write the column.

In embedded SQL programs, use the DATAHANDLER clause in place of a variable or expression. For example, you can specify a data handler in a WHERE clause.

The syntax of the DATAHANDLER clause is as follows:

The following table lists the parameters for the DATAHANDLER clause:

For example, the following SELECT statement returns the column, bookname, using the normal SQL method and the long varchar column, booktext, using a data handler:

Separate data handler routines can be created to process different columns.

In select loops, data handlers are called once for each row returned.

The data handler must issue a PUT DATA statement with DATAEND set to 1 before exiting; otherwise, the DBMS Server issues a runtime error. When sending empty LOB data, for example, a zero-length BLOB (LONG BYTE), the PUT DATA call must be made with the SEGMENT parameter so that the client informs the DBMS of the correct data type. If the SEGMENT parameter is omitted, the client will default to sending CLOB (LONG VARCHAR).