> > I often wish for:
> >
> > cast( var | char as blob ) and cast( blob to var | char )
> >
> > Wouldn't that be handy?

Certainly! For many cases.

> Rather than a cast, why not just treat a blob as a character
> string?

Given that there is a length limit on DSQL strings that is much shorter than
the maximum Blob length, this would be like offering a new arithmetic
operation for integers, but only if the integer is between 0 and 350. Very
convenient if the integer you need is in that range, but a bit inexplicable
why there is the limitation.

Bill Karwin