Anyone know hoe to read blobs in 4gl programs

[Firecloud]

Hey,

I'm after exact Informix 4gl syntax to read blobs from an Informix database.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cheers

Rob

 

[olded]

Rob:

In order to read blobs into Informix 4GL, use the locate mechanism. You have the option of locate (ing) into memory or a disk file. Let's do the eacy way:

In database testdb we have table x_test which has at least columns:

somecol CHAR(50)
blobcol TEXT

Here's the 4GL example locating one row from x_test in text fil "test.fil"

DATABASE testdb

MAIN

DEFINE file_name CHAR(50),
testblob TEXT


LET file_name = "test.fil"
LOCATE testblob IN FILE file_name

SELECT blobcol
INTO testblob
FROM x_test where somecol = "SOMETEXT"
IF sqlca.sqlcode != 0
THEN
error "Can NOT access Blob: ", sqlca.sqlcode
END IF

END MAIN
# end 4GL test

Now, process the file somehow. I've written callable 4GL functions located in Online FAQ, faq179-2007, which will help you do that.

You can locate in memory in Informix 4GL:

LOCATE testblob IN MEMORY

but then you need a callable "C" function to read the RAM.

I've done this in the past, but it's not worth the effort if you're reading TEXT blobs.

Regards,


Ed