Re: Binary data in char/varchar column?

In article <1994Feb25.224420.55188@shared.com> jimf@shared.com (Jim Franklin) writes: >I have the desire/urging to populate a char or varchar column with >binary data. The SQL reference manual indicates that char & varchar >data types may contain "tabs and spaces, but no other nonprinting >characters". This data is not to accessed with normal SQL or any >other Informix tool. Does anyone have knowledge in this area. We >will be using ESQL/C & OnLine 5.0. > >Replies from all directions would be appreciated. We do that for one table. It works. It's not pretty. It gives maintenance headaches. Don't do it unless you HAVE to. But, it works. We don't index that column. You can't use dbexport/unload/load/dbload to manipulate the table (because the binary data may have the delimiter "|" in it). You can't use ISQL to view the table (It'll drive your terminal crazy). Every time you call support, they'll suspect that weird usage as being the root of your problem. But, it works fine from ESQL/C. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Burks jburks@promus.com The Promus Companies Memphis, Tennessee, USA