A large object is
a data object that is logically stored in a table column but physically
stored independent of the column. Large objects are stored separate
from the table because they typically store a large amount of data.
Separation of this data from the table can increase performance.
Large-Object
Data Types shows the large-object
data types. Figure 1: Large-Object
Data Types
Only HCL Informix® supports
BLOB and CLOB data types.
For the relative advantages and disadvantages of simple and smart
large objects, see the Informix Database Design and
Implementation Guide.