> Alan McDonald wrote:
> >>> Prior to v2.1, SUBSTRING(BLOB) returned a varchar, but now it
> returns
> >>> a temporary blob. So I believe the blob contents is actually
> fetched
> >>> by the client via the blob ID. Could it be possible that it's done
> >>> after a transaction commit, for example?
> >
> > when I query the view with substring, I get no such blob chatter.
>
> If this has something to do with the resulting blob, could a possible
> workaround be:
>
> CAST(SUBSTRING(MyBlob FROM 1 FOR 250) as VARCHAR(250))
>
> I've no idea about the cause of your problem, nor whether the problem
> is
> with Firebird or IBO.
>
> Set

Thanks but I don't think so. As I have observed thru SQL Monitor, the
substrings are coming thru as a varchar not as Dmitry says it should.
Actually I don't even know what he means by "temporary" blob. It's either a
blob or not, I think, and I see no blob. A temporary blob suggests that the
client app has no chance of further identifying it.... It's the server
reporting invalid Blob ID not the application. So it's either not where the
server thinks it is or it no longer a valid ID to any blob.

Anyway I've got to go away for ten days so I've given my client an action
plan and I'll keep my fingers crossed. I'll take this up again when I
return.
Alan