BFILE Datatype
The BFILE datatype enables access to binary file LOBs that are stored in file
systems outside the Oracle database. A BFILE column or attribute stores a BFILE
locator, which serves as a pointer to a binary file on the server’s file system. The
locator maintains the directory alias and the filename.
You can change the filename and path of a BFILE without affecting the base table
by using the BFILENAME function.
Binary file LOBs do not participate in transactions and are not recoverable. Rather,
the underlying operating system provides file integrity and durability. The
maximum file size supported is 4 gigabytes.
The database administrator must ensure that the file exists and that Oracle
processes have operating system read permissions on the file.
The BFILE datatype enables read-only support of large binary files. You cannot
modify or replicate such a file. Oracle provides APIs to access file data. The primary
interfaces that you use to access file data are the DBMS_LOB package and the OCI.
See Also:
n Oracle9i Supplied PL/SQL Packages and Types Reference and Oracle
Call Interface Programmer’s Guide for more information about
these interfaces and LOBs
n the modify_col_properties clause of ALTER TABLE on
page 11-2 and TO_LOB on page 6-178 for more information on
converting LONG columns to LOB columns
See Also: BFILENAME on page 6-23 for more information on this
built-in SQL function
See Also:
n Oracle9i Application Developer’s Guide - Large Objects (LOBs) and
Oracle Call Interface Programmer’s Guide for more information
about LOBs.
n CREATE DIRECTORY on page 13-49