Theo Bebekis wrote:

>
> I use Firebird (WI-T0.9.4.41 Firebird Test1), Delphi 5 and IBX.
> One of my first concerns was about using blobs for
> saving/retreiving raw data. The manual (Interbase 6, Data Definition Guide)
> on page 144, says (Working with stored procedures)
>
>
> So I wrote a small test project to see what can be done.
> It works fine and just as expected. So my question is:
> Do I miss anything here?
>

Who knows? Others have had the same experience as you - despite what the manual
says blobs can be used for input and output from SPs. I don't think anyone has
ever explained why blob params were specifically mentioned as illegal. Those
docs were written about five years ago. However, because the documentation
disallows them not too many have bet the farm on this feature. So, because not
too many are using the feature we are not hearing about the possible problems.

There have been reports of duplicate blob handles possibly linked to using blobs
as params in SPs. This leads to two transactions each thinking they own the same
blob. Beyond that, no-one has been able to definitively say whether blob params
are really are safe to use or not.

If you have the opportunity, the ablility and the inclination I would recommend
tracing through the source code on this. Otherwise, given the margin of doubt, I
would suggest treading carefully with this feature until we have definite
confirmation that it is safe.

Or live dangerously - what the heck eh?


Paul
--

Paul Reeves
http://www.ibphoenix.com
taking InterBase further