Replication Programming Interfaces

As an alternative to using SQL Server Enterprise Manager, you can use the following programming interfaces to implement, administer, and monitor replication:

• Microsoft® ActiveX® controls used within custom applications using Microsoft Visual Basic® or Microsoft Visual C++®, provide programmable controls to administer and control the Snapshot Agent, the Distribution Agent, and the Merge Agent. These controls can be used to program activity needed to operate replication. For example, for an application that provides online and offline capabilities, you may want to display a Synchronize button. That button can be associated with the merge ActiveX control, and whenever users click the button, they connect to the Publisher and the Merge Agent for the specified publication merges and synchronizes data.
  
  
• SQL-DMO allows you to create custom applications, using Visual Basic or C++, which allow you to configure, implement, or maintain your replication topology. SQL-DMO can be used to program replication administration such as configuring distribution, creating subscriptions, and so on.
  
  
• The Replication Distributor Interface provides the capability to replicate data from heterogeneous data sources such as Microsoft Access or Oracle. The Replication Distributor Interface is primarily used by independent service vendors, or others who need to develop a custom replication application based on proprietary data sources.
  
  
• Scripting replication using Transact-SQL system stored procedures enables you to automate some replication tasks, configure replication, and implement subscriptions on multiple servers. Stored procedures are frequently used in scripts that can be run when configuring replication on multiple servers (for example, creating subscriptions to a publication on multiple Subscribers).