Binary large object
Encyclopedia
A blob is a collection of binary data stored as a single entity in a database management system
. Blobs are typically image
s, audio
or other multimedia
objects, though sometimes binary executable code is stored as a blob
. Database support for blobs is not universal.
Blobs were originally just amorphous chunks of data invented by Jim Starkey
at DEC
, who describes them as "the thing that ate Cincinnati, Cleveland, or whatever". Later, Terry McKiever, a marketing person for Apollo, felt that it needed to be an acronym and invented the backronym
Basic Large Object. Then Informix
invented an alternative backronym, Binary Large Object.
In fact, originally "blob" was used as a term for moving large amounts of data from one database to another without filters or error correction. This sped up the process of moving data by putting the responsibility for error checking and filtering on the new host for the data. The act of moving huge amounts of data was called "blobbing", as in the sentence, "Just blob that data over." This came about by the image of somebody grabbing fistfuls of material from one container and putting it in another without regard to what was in the "blob" they were grasping.
The data type and definition was introduced to describe data not originally defined in traditional computer database systems, particularly because it was too large to store practically at the time the field of database systems was first being defined in the 1970s and 1980s. The data type became practical when disk space became cheap. This definition gained popularity with IBM
's DB2
.
Database management system
A database management system is a software package with computer programs that control the creation, maintenance, and use of a database. It allows organizations to conveniently develop databases for various applications by database administrators and other specialists. A database is an integrated...
. Blobs are typically image
Image
An image is an artifact, for example a two-dimensional picture, that has a similar appearance to some subject—usually a physical object or a person.-Characteristics:...
s, audio
Sound
Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations.-Propagation of...
or other multimedia
Multimedia
Multimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
objects, though sometimes binary executable code is stored as a blob
Binary blob
In the free software community, binary blob is a pejorative term for an object file loaded into the kernel of a open source operating system without publicly available source code...
. Database support for blobs is not universal.
Blobs were originally just amorphous chunks of data invented by Jim Starkey
Jim Starkey
Jim Starkey is a database architect who developed InterBase, the first relational database to support multi-versioning, the blob column type , type event alerts, arrays and triggers. He founded the web application development and database tool company Netfrastructure. The provides a brief history...
at DEC
Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation was a major American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s...
, who describes them as "the thing that ate Cincinnati, Cleveland, or whatever". Later, Terry McKiever, a marketing person for Apollo, felt that it needed to be an acronym and invented the backronym
Backronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
Basic Large Object. Then Informix
Informix
IBM Informix is a family of relational database management system developed by IBM. It is positioned as IBM's flagship data server for online transaction processing as well as integrated solutions...
invented an alternative backronym, Binary Large Object.
In fact, originally "blob" was used as a term for moving large amounts of data from one database to another without filters or error correction. This sped up the process of moving data by putting the responsibility for error checking and filtering on the new host for the data. The act of moving huge amounts of data was called "blobbing", as in the sentence, "Just blob that data over." This came about by the image of somebody grabbing fistfuls of material from one container and putting it in another without regard to what was in the "blob" they were grasping.
The data type and definition was introduced to describe data not originally defined in traditional computer database systems, particularly because it was too large to store practically at the time the field of database systems was first being defined in the 1970s and 1980s. The data type became practical when disk space became cheap. This definition gained popularity with IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
's DB2
IBM DB2
The IBM DB2 Enterprise Server Edition is a relational model database server developed by IBM. It primarily runs on Unix , Linux, IBM i , z/OS and Windows servers. DB2 also powers the different IBM InfoSphere Warehouse editions...
.