PostgreSQL (or just SQL) question

jacksmash · 12-30-2003, 09:34 AM

I have a simple yes/no answer question:

Is it possible to allow a user to upload a file (let's say a text file for this example) and then store it in a table along with the user's other information?

If the answer is yes - can someone give me a hint as to how? I'm using PHP for the scripting language. But when I look at the storage types for PostgreSQL, there doesn't seem to be anything that would suggest storing a file in a table.

Thanks for any help!

kev82 · 12-30-2003, 10:06 AM

uploading with PHP.

i dont know about PostgreSQL but mysql has the types {TINY|MEDIUM|LARGE}TEXT and BLOB, i would use TEXT for the text files and BLOB for binary files such as pictures.

jacksmash · 12-30-2003, 10:12 AM

Yeah, I don't see those available on the list of types - perhaps it is just disabled on our server at school for protection.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

kev82 · 12-30-2003, 10:27 AM

ive just looked at the postgreSQL documentation and version 6.3(earliest manual on website) and above seems to have the text type available, are you sure the text type doesnt work? what happens if you run?

create table texttest (testfield text);

jacksmash · 12-30-2003, 10:34 AM

Yes that works, but in my documentation it says it is just a variable length string.
Would that work for uploading a file and storing it do you think?

kev82 · 12-30-2003, 10:40 AM

wouldnt work for a binary file but i think it would be perfect with a text file, your other choice is to store the uploaded file somewhere and store a path to it in the database.

jacksmash · 12-30-2003, 10:46 AM

sounds good - thanks for all your help