Re: Blobs in Postgresql

The language is Java. I've made some tests and they work very well for 25meg
files....works exactly the way it should, first time. MySQL had all kinds of
nasty surprises for me when I first started working with blobs, but I can
say that I took my code, changed the driver, and it all works like a champ
(mind you, this was a quick test app).

I haven't looked at encryption at the database level....is such a thing
available? I know Oracle has some form of data encryption at the database
level so the nefarious DBA with the wide mustache and black brimmed hat
always going "ah ha ha ha ha" can't make off with the data, but does
Postgres have something similar?

BTW, to put into context, the database will be designed to hold evidence
(well, photos and videos of). Thus the compelling need for some security, as
well as the variation in file sizes.

On 8/17/07, Merlin Moncure <mmoncure(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:
>
> On 8/15/07, Ron Olson <tachoknight(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:
> > Hi all-
> >
> > I am evaluating databases for use in a large project that will hold
> image
> > data as blobs. I know, everybody says to just store pointers to files on
> the
> > disk...can't do it here...the images are of a confidential nature and
> access
> > to the database (and resulting client app) will be highly restricted.
> The
> > underlying platform will likely be Linux though Solaris x86-64 has been
> > suggested as well.
> >
> > I did some tests with MySQL and found the results very sub-par...the
> > standard blob field only holds 64k (they have three types of blobs for
> > whatever reason) and the real problem is that my uploads and downloads
> have
> > failed because of packet size issues...this can be solved somewhat with
> > server settings, but I get the impression that blobs are barely
> supported.
> >
> > So turning to Postgresql, can I get any recommendations, suggestions and
> > tips on blob handling in the database? The image sizes will be pretty
> > variable, from a few kilobytes to several hundred megabytes, so I need
> > something that will handle the various file sizes, hopefully
> transparently.
>
> for fast performance, you should make sure to use the parameterized
> interface and send in the results as binary (or use a language that
> accesses the database that way). I would be nervous about storing
> blobs if they were very large.
>
> regarding the security issue, have you looked at encryption?
>
> merlin
>