Trying to store files in Oracle

[gandolf989]

We have an OLTP application written in Power Builder v8. We are going to be storing files in the database with Power Builder. We currently use the LONG data type for storing data windows. What is the best datatype for storing files. They could be anything from word docs, to jpg files. Which is a better datatype for storing files LONG or BLOB? and what are the relative merits of each? Thanks in advance.

[slimdave]

No question - use BLOB. The reasons are discussed here in the documentation

[agasimani]

BLOB........of course. Why otherwise Oracle would introduce this new feature????

[gandolf989]

Thanks for the input. I am going to recommend that we use blobs.

[kris109]

You have a choice of BLOBS or BFILES. BFILES are stored as OS files accessed by database through directory objects. If the files are big and are not updated (read only) you can use BFILES.

[gandolf989]

Originally posted by kris109
You have a choice of BLOBS or BFILES. BFILES are stored as OS files accessed by database through directory objects. If the files are big and are not updated (read only) you can use BFILES.

Thanks for the suggestion.