BLOB
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Data & Database
| Stands for | Binary large object |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
BLOB stands for Binary large object, a data & database abbreviation.
A database data type for storing large chunks of binary data, such as images, audio, PDFs or serialized files, in a single column. Cloud storage services also use the word for stored files.
Example: Store the scans in object storage and keep only the URL in the table, not a BLOB.
Usage notes
Jim Starkey is credited with inventing BLOBs at Digital Equipment Corporation, naming them after the 1958 film The Blob; "binary large object" is a later backronym. Many teams avoid storing large files in databases because it bloats backups and replication. Azure Blob Storage is Microsoft's object storage service.
Related abbreviations
More data & database abbreviations
- 3NF – Third normal form
- ACID – Atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability
- BASE – Basically available, soft state, eventual consistency
- BI – Business intelligence
- BSON – Binary JSON
- CAP – Consistency, availability, partition tolerance (CAP theorem)
- CDC – Change data capture
- CTE – Common table expression
- DAG – Directed acyclic graph
- DAX – Data Analysis Expressions
- DB – Database
- DBA – Database administrator