Introduction to Large Objects
As the name suggests, large objects or LOBs refer to large data. A column of a large object type in a table can store semi-structured or unstructured data. Semi-structured data can be a character-based document that can be processed in a near relational format. Unstructured data is a binary file that is difficult to interpret logically. For example, an XML file is a semi-structured document while an image or a graphics file is an unstructured format of the data.
Oracle Database supports the storage of large objects along the following aspects:
Storage: Just like any other data, the Oracle Database allows the storage of large objects in columns within a table. The columns of
LOBdata types can efficiently store a semi or unstructured data object, compress it and even encrypt it in the database. TheLOBdatatype stored in the Oracle Database abides by the ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability) properties. Oracle provides a wide range of administrative...
