How do I store a file as a column in a table?

Question

Hi,
Lets say the table looks like this ...
SQL> desc myTable
NAME DATA
filename varchar2(100)
data long
would I have to write a stored procedure that does this?
procedure loadit( inFileName varchar(100) ) is
fh UTL_FILE.FILE_TYPE;
line long;
vData long;
begin
fh := UTL_FILE.FOPEN( inFileName );
while not UTL_FILE.EOF( FH ) loop
UTL_FILE.GET_LINE( fh, line );
vData := vData || line;
end loop;
UTL_FILE.FCLOSE(fh);
insert into myTable values( inFileName, vData );
commit;
end loadit;
For some reason I don't think that is going to work?
How is this done or is it even done?
Thanks

Answer 1

First off don't use LONG use CLOB or BLOB. Then you can use procedures in DBMS_LOB, if you set up your files as BFILES then use DBMS_LOB.LoadFromFile. This will also handle binary files.
As UTL_FILE only handles text or ASCII files, to get binary files in is harder. You could write a Java class to read files, place the Java in the database, and use that. I've written one, and I see others in different places on the NET.
Good Luck,
Eric Kamradt
PS. Could someone please give an attempt at answering my forms question posted on this forum.