Re: LONG datatypes - what's the trick?

Kevin,
Thanks. Your page had a wealth of info. Is there an alternative to LONGs in Oracle 7.3.x? Considering that we're not storing binary data, just a really really long text string? I have some very verbose users, that don't want their creativity stifled by some technical limitation. <Set sarcasm OFF>

Paul

Kevin Loney wrote in message <0DzD2.48$Sb4.333_at_monger.newsread.com>...
>That's not a valid use of LONG datatypes. You also can't insert as select
>if LONGs are involved. You can use the COPY command to move LONG values
>around, but you're trying to do an update. If the LONG values are small
>enough (<32768 characters in length - but good luck measuring this since
you
>can't do a LENGTH function on the LONG column), use PL/SQL. Create a
PL/SQL
>variable, make it VARCHAR2(32767) and read the value into the variable.
Use
>that VARCHAR2 value for the comparisons you're trying to make.
>
>Ugly? Yes, but it works if you can handle the length limitation. I prefer
>not to store large non-relational data attributes in relational databases.
>
>hth.
>Kevin
>see also http://www.kevinloney.com/free/fga.htm , question 4.
>
>
>Paul A. Horan wrote in message
><#648F1kZ#GA.320_at_nih2naaa.prod2.compuserve.com>...
>>I have two tables, each defined with a primary key, and a single column of
>>LONG datatype. These are simple long text columns, designed to store
>>copious notes
>>
>>Why can't I say:
>>UPDATE table2
>> set table2.long_col =
>> (Select table1.long_col
>> where table1.primary_key = table2.primary_key )
>> WHERE exists
>> (Select 1
>> from table1
>> where table1.primary_key = table2.primary_key) ;
>>
>>The error message I'm getting is:
>>ORA-00997: illegal use of LONG datatype
>>
>>Is this kind of update statement not allowed? What are my options here?
>
>
Received on Thu Mar 04 1999 - 12:53:53 CST