patternsqlMinor
What is a "LOB"
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Problem
I see the term LOB used often when describing data types in columns of tables. What is it an acronym of, and why is this data object important?
Solution
“LOB” is short for “large object”.
In relational databases, data are typically stored in blocks of a fixed size to allow efficient interaction with storage.
Now if a value comes close to the size of a block or exceeds it, there is an obvious problem storing it in a table column. Such values are typically called LOBs, and different techniques have been proposed and used to store them, which typically involve splitting up the large value and storing it in more than one block.
In relational databases, data are typically stored in blocks of a fixed size to allow efficient interaction with storage.
Now if a value comes close to the size of a block or exceeds it, there is an obvious problem storing it in a table column. Such values are typically called LOBs, and different techniques have been proposed and used to store them, which typically involve splitting up the large value and storing it in more than one block.
Context
StackExchange Database Administrators Q#247247, answer score: 7
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