We have huge table in production with a LONG column in it. We are having some performance issues around this (due the volume and access frequencies). There are some storage concerns too. We are running Oracle 8.1.5.1 on Solaris 2.6. Here are my questions:
1. Oracle recommends that LONG column be converted to LOBs. What would be the performance impact of this? Are we better off staying on LONGs till they are de-supported?
2. There were some posting on Metalink siting problems with conversions of LONGs to LOBs resulting in 2 to 3 times more storage. Is this true? DO we have to use OCI programs for the conversion to be space efficient?
3. Does the access path to LONG and LOB data by oracle involve the same costs (rows/fetch, fetch/row etc)?
4. Do LONGs cols go through the buffer cache and if so what re the merits/demerits.

SOrry to cram in so many questions - but the bottom line is that it would be great to know what the issues might be if we convert from LONG to LOB. Thanks a lot !!

Reg