Handling Large Objects (LOBs) efficiently is crucial when working with large data in Oracle databases. SecureFile LOBs offer a high-performance and storage-efficient solution for managing LOBs in PL/SQL. This blog will explore SecureFile LOBs, their features, and how to use them effectively in PL/SQL.

What Are SecureFile LOBs?

SecureFile LOBs are an advanced type of LOB storage introduced in Oracle Database 11g. They are designed to store unstructured data like images, videos, documents, and large text files with enhanced performance and storage efficiency compared to traditional BasicFile LOBs.

Why Use SecureFile LOBs?

1. Faster read and write operations compared to BasicFile LOBs.

2. Reduced storage requirements with compression and deduplication.

Features of SecureFile LOBs

SecureFile LOBs bring several innovative features to the table:

1. Compression

Reduces the size of LOB data stored on disk using standard compression algorithms.

Options: COMPRESS, COMPRESS LOW or COMPRESS HIGH.

Compression is transparent to applications and requires no changes to code.

2. Encryption

Ensures that LOB data is encrypted at the storage level.

Uses Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to comply with security regulations.

3. Deduplication

Eliminates duplicate LOB data by storing a single copy and referencing it across rows.

Ideal for applications where the same LOB data is used repeatedly.

4. Performance

Optimized for high-speed access to LOB data, making it suitable for modern applications with large-scale data requirements.

Conclusion

SecureFile LOBs revolutionize the way Oracle databases handle unstructured data by offering high performance, advanced storage optimization, and robust security. Whether you’re building enterprise applications or managing large-scale data, SecureFile LOBs in PL/SQL can significantly enhance your database capabilities.
Start using SecureFile LOBs today to optimize your Oracle applications for the demands of the modern data-driven world!