Large objects (LOBs)
The term large object (LOB) refers to any of the following data types: CLOB, DBCLOB, or BLOB.
- CLOB
- A character large object (CLOB) is a varying-length string with a maximum length of 2 147 483 647 bytes (2 gigabytes minus 1 byte). A CLOB is designed to store large SBCS data or mixed data, such as lengthy documents. For example, you can store information such as an employee resume, the script of a play, or the text of novel in a CLOB. Alternatively, you can store such information in UTF-8 in a mixed CLOB. A CLOB is a varying-length character string.
- DBCLOB
- A double-byte character large object (DBCLOB) is a varying-length string with a maximum length of 1 073 741 823 double-byte characters. A DBCLOB is designed to store large DBCS data. For example, you could store the information mentioned for CLOB (an employee resume, the script for a play, or the text of a novel) in UTF-16 in a DBCLOB. A DBCLOB is a varying-length graphic string.
- BLOB
- A binary large object (BLOB) is a varying-length string
with a maximum length of 2 147 483 647 bytes (2 gigabytes
minus 1 byte). A BLOB is designed to store non-traditional data such
as pictures, voice, and mixed media. BLOBs can also store structured
data for use by distinct types and user-defined functions. A BLOB is a binary string.
Although BLOB strings and FOR BIT DATA character strings might be used for similar purposes, the two data types are not compatible. The BLOB function can be used to change a FOR BIT DATA character string into a BLOB string.