Oracle 7.3 Long Fields

Programs that are trying to use Long fields, or Varchar2s longer than 255 characters, are having some problems. SQL*Forms 3.0 fails when trying to update Longs. Forms 4.5 fails if there is an attempt to update a Long that is larger than 2000 characters. Intersolv DataDirect Multilink fails on any attempt to update a Long, and any attempt to update a Varchar2 if the length of the data exceeds 255 characters.

Oddly enough, Microsoft Access using similar Intersolv Data Direct drivers works fine. SQL*Plus will also do updates.

One possible explanation is that Oracle (or someone) is now interpreting the rules for delimiting strings differently from earlier implementations. Software is operating inconsistently, but the variations are minor. Thus, the program will accept records returned from a query and display them, but something imbedded in the message string causes the client side to lose confidence in the return. With some doubt about the validity of the data, the software refuses to accept an update.

Does anyone have a more concrete explanation, and in particular, a workaround? Best yet, is anyone at Oracle willing to offer up a date for a fix, if one is needed. Received on Mon May 20 1996 - 00:00:00 CEST