Update LONG datatype columns

Question

Can anyone point me to a description on how I can update a column of datatype LONG.
I will be using a stored procedure/cursor and need to be able to append a string variable to the end of a LONG datatype column that will have other text.
Thanks in advance,
Miller

Answer 1

The use of LONG has several limitations. Please refer to the SQL Reference for details.
http://download-west.oracle.com/docs/cd/B10501_01/server.920/a96540/toc.htm
From the documentation:
You can reference LONG columns in SQL statements in these places:
n SELECT lists
n SET clauses of UPDATE statements
n VALUES clauses of INSERT statements
The use of LONG values is subject to some restrictions:
n A table cannot contain more than one LONG column.
n You cannot create an object type with a LONG attribute.
n LONG columns cannot appear in integrity constraints (except for NULL and NOT
NULL constraints).
n LONG columns cannot be indexed.
n A stored function cannot return a LONG value.
n Within a single SQL statement, all LONG columns, updated tables, and locked
tables must be located on the same database.
LONG columns cannot appear in certain parts of SQL statements:
n WHERE clauses, GROUP BY clauses, ORDER BY clauses, or CONNECT BY clauses or
with the DISTINCT operator in SELECT statements
n The UNIQUE operator of a SELECT statement
n The column list of a CREATE CLUSTER statement
n The CLUSTER clause of a CREATE MATERIALIZED VIEW statement
n SQL functions (such as SUBSTR or INSTR)
n Expressions or conditions
n SELECT lists of queries containing GROUP BY clauses
n SELECT lists of subqueries or queries combined by the UNION, INTERSECT, or
MINUS set operators
Note: Oracle Corporation strongly recommends that you convert
LONG columns to LOB columns. LOB columns are subject to far
fewer restrictions than LONG columns. See "TO_LOB" on page 4-111
for more information.