The mi_lo_to_string( ) and mi_lo_from_string( ) functions are useful in the input and output support function of an opaque data type that contains smart large objects. These functions enable you to convert CLOB and BLOB values (LO handles) between their external format (text) and their internal format (binary) when you transfer them to and from client applications. For more information, see Conversion of Opaque-Type Data Between Text and Binary Representations.