Re: Storing images in a field - Mailing list pgsql-general

Együd Csaba wrote:
> Hi All,
> I use PG 7.3.2 an 7.4.1 on RH 7.1.
> I'd like to store small (~ 100x100 px jpeg, or gif) images in a field in
> binary format.
> I tried to understand the documentation of the large objects but I'm afraid
> I coluldn't.
> I found some functions to import and export binary files into the db, but
> these functions work on the server side.
> How can I insert a block of binary data into a given field form the client
> (WinXP, pgsqlODBC 7.03.01)? And on the other side how can I retrive that
> data from there, how can I delete or modifay that?
>
> In general which data type is the most powerful for this. The only purpose
> of this field to store a photo or drawing of the product represented by the
> record. It's not required to be parsed. Is it possible to have it compressed
> or it should be done by the client?

Numerous methods exist - large objects, bytea fields, TEXT fields (ie,
base64 convert the data and store as a big string), and of course,
storing a path in the filesystem to the image (has pros and cons). In
fact, only about a week ago was there a discussion on this topic.

Which makes me wonder:

Since this is such a common request, shouldn't there be a FAQ regarding
the procedure? Heck, even if all it consisted of was the archived
messages strung together, there should be enough q&a involved in all of
those exchanges to answer this question many times over.

I know, I know - itch, scratch, why don't I do it? If I had the time
(and if I had actually ever done the exercise), I would make a FAQ or
something on the topic and post it. Unfortunately, I have never had the
need to store images in a DB (shocking!). However, I do know enough
about the topic to know that it is a common question, one that should
already be answered in just about every manner possible.

In fact, it likely is - so why does this same question seem to pop up on
a regular basis? I realize that there are basic questions, and all need
to be answered. I also realize the everybody was a "beginner" at one
time or another. But this question should be completely and fully
answered in some form on the internet - because it is a *basic*
component of every e-commerce site. Are people really reinventing the
wheel this much?

Andrew Ayers
Phoenix, Arizona

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