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<h1>22. Virtuoso Functions Guide - blob_to_string</h1>
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<div id="text">
<h2>blob_to_string</h2>
<div class="refpurpose">Convert a blob to string</div>
<div class="funcsynopsis">
<span class="funcdef">varchar <span class="function">blob_to_string</span>
</span>
(<span class="paramdef">in <span class="parameter">blob</span>any</span>);
</div>
<div class="refsect1">
<div class="refsect1title">Description</div>
<p>Although primarily used for converting <span class="computeroutput">blobs</span> (<span class="computeroutput">long varbinary</span>,
<span class="computeroutput">long varchar</span>) to <span class="computeroutput">string</span>, <span class="computeroutput">blob_to_string</span>
may also be used to convert from <span class="computeroutput">wide string</span>, <span class="computeroutput">persistent
XML (XPER)</span> and <span class="computeroutput">string_output streams</span>. If the data being
converted is longer than maximum length of a <span class="computeroutput">string</span>,
<span class="computeroutput">blob_to_string</span> will signal an error.</p>
<div class="note">
<div class="notetitle">Note</div>
<p>This function is equivalent to <span class="computeroutput">cast (x as varchar)</span>.
Using <span class="computeroutput">cast</span> is preferred.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="refsect1">
<div class="refsect1title">Parameters</div>
<div class="refsect2">
<span class="refsect2title">blob – </span>
<span class="computeroutput">blob handle</span> (long varbinary or long varchar), <span class="computeroutput">string_output</span> or <span class="computeroutput">XPER</span> (persistent XML)
</div>
</div>
<div class="refsect1">
<div class="refsect1title">Return Types</div>
<p>
<span class="computeroutput">Varchar</span> contents of <span class="computeroutput">blob</span>.</p>
</div>
<div class="refsect1title">Errors</div>
<table class="data">
<tr>
<th class="data">SQLState</th>
<th class="data">Error Code</th>
<th class="data">Error Message</th>
<th class="data">Description</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="data">
<a name="err22023" />
<span class="errorcode">22023</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<a name="errSR068" />
<span class="errorcode">SR068</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<span class="errorname">XML tree cannot be used as argument of blob_to_string</span>
</td>
<td class="data" />
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="data">
<a name="err22001" />
<span class="errorcode">22001</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<a name="errSR069" />
<span class="errorcode">SR069</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<span class="errorname">Attempt to convert a persistent XML document longer than VARCHAR maximum in blob_to_string</span>
</td>
<td class="data" />
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="data">
<a name="err22023" />
<span class="errorcode">22023</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<a name="errSR070" />
<span class="errorcode">SR070</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<span class="errorname">blob_to_string requires a blob as argument</span>
</td>
<td class="data" />
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="data">
<a name="err22023" />
<span class="errorcode">22023</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<a name="errSR071" />
<span class="errorcode">SR071</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<span class="errorname">Blob argument to blob_to_string must be a non-interactive blob</span>
</td>
<td class="data" />
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="data">
<a name="err22001" />
<span class="errorcode">22001</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<a name="errSR072" />
<span class="errorcode">SR072</span>
</td>
<td class="data">
<span class="errorname">Blob too long for the string.</span>
</td>
<td class="data" />
</tr>
</table>
<br />
<p />
<div class="refsect1">
<div class="refsect1title">Examples</div>
<a name="ex_blob_to_string" />
<div class="example">
<div class="exampletitle">Various conversions</div>
<div>
<pre class="screen">SQL> use Demo;
Done. -- 20 msec.
SQL> select blob_to_string (Description) from Categories;
callret
VARCHAR
_______________________________________________________________________________
Soft drinks, coffees, teas, beers, and ales
Sweet and savory sauces, relishes, spreads, and seasonings
Desserts, candies, and sweet breads
Cheeses
Breads, crackers, pasta, and cereal
Prepared meats
Dried fruit and bean curd
Seaweed and fish
8 Rows. -- 37 msec.
SQL>
</pre>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="refsect1">
<div class="refsect1title">See Also</div>
<p>
<a href="sqlrefDATATYPES.html#dtcasting">Casting</a>, <a href="fn_string_output.html">string_output</a>.</p>
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