To manipulate data in a table that has abstract data types, use functions or component specifications. The functions include constructor functions (or default constructor functions), which are created automatically when abstract data types are defined, and user-defined functions, which are any functions that the user defines. Component specifications manipulate attributes that make up abstract data types.

Some abstract data types are provided by plug-ins and some are defined by the user. This section discusses the SGMLTEXT and XML types that are provided by plug-ins.

Organization of this section

2.12.1 SGMLTEXT type

2.12.2 XML type

2.12.3 User-defined abstract data types