How to convert varchar to BLOB in oracle 10g?

Question

Hi all,
I have 2 columns A and B which are of varchar2(2000) dataype.
I would like to concatinate these 2 columns and convert them into BLOB in oracle 10g.
Any help is appreciated.
Regards,
Ravi

Answer 1

don't use BLOB to store large text, use CLOB instead
anyway:
SQL> create table test
  2  (txt varchar2(10)
  3  ,other varchar2(10)
  4  );
Table created.
SQL>
SQL> insert into test values ('some text', 'other text');
1 row created.
SQL>
SQL> create table test2
  2  (col blob)
  3  /
Table created.
SQL>
SQL> insert into test2
  2  select utl_raw.cast_to_raw (txt||other)
  3    from test
  4  /
1 row created.
SQL> select *
  2    from test2
  3  /
SP2-0678: Column or attribute type can not be displayed by SQL*Plus
SQL>
SQL> select utl_raw.cast_to_varchar2(col)
  2    from test2
  3  /
UTL_RAW.CAST_TO_VARCHAR2(COL)
some textother text
SQL>
SQL> drop table test
  2  /
Table dropped.
SQL> drop table test2
  2  /
Table dropped.