To support application programming with non-formatted data sets (texts, graphics, voice, images), ADABAS provides the data type LONG.
LONG columns are specified in the usual way when defining a table (CREATE TABLE). They are completely subject to the transaction concept, the authorization, and the dynamic memory management of ADABAS. For each table, several LONG columns can be created.
Within the SQL statements INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and SELECT or FETCH, LONG columns can only be operated as containers. This means that in the application program, a host variable that is sufficiently long must be defined in which the entire content of the LONG column can be read in or out.
LONG columns can grow dynamically and be created, updated, and deleted during database operation. Saving and restoring LONG columns is done with the usual ADABAS backup and recovery utilities.