BLOBs in MySQL BLOBs or Binary Large OBjects are a useful datatype in relational databases for certain use-cases. For example storing a profile image for a user of the system. I have also seen databases that use them for storing large amounts of sensitive or encrypted data. Sometimes we need to see the contents of the BLOB. Use a command like this to do so, and remember to choose the character encoding. MySQL: SELECT CONVERT(blob_column USING latin1) FROM mytable; SELECT CONVERT(blob_column USING utf8) FROM mytable; These "memory tickler" posts are quick-hits to refresh my mind about little technical details that arise infrequently enough that I forget in between, and wind up doing an internet search every time. By posting them here, they will be easier to find as needed.)
Musings on Tests, Quality, Tools, Projects and more. By Steve Page