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Easiest way to insert image into oracle database

I have had requirement to store some signature files of USERs in oracle database. So we can display that signature on Letter when we generate reports from BI Publisher. I tried two methods and both worked fine as expected.

Method 1 (Standard way):

First we need to create directory on the database server to store files on it.
command:
Create or replace directory as TEMP_DIR '<database server path>/temp'

Now copy all the files to that directory.

Sql>create table reader(reader_id varchar2(10),signature BLOB);
Sql>Insert into reader (reader_id) values ('01');

Create Procedure to update table with signature file.

CREATE OR REPLACE procedure user_signature(v_id IN number)
IS
BEGIN

DECLARE
v_bfile bfile := BFILENAME('TEMP_DIR', 'sign.JPG'); --first parameter in all caps, second is case sensitive
v_lob blob;
BEGIN
select signature into v_lob from reader where reader_id = v_id for update;
DBMS_LOB.FILEOPEN(v_bfile, DBMS_LOB.FILE_READONLY);
DBMS_LOB.LOADFROMFILE ( v_lob, v_bfile, DBMS_LOB.GETLENGTH(v_bfile));
DBMS_LOB.CLOSE(v_bfile);
commit;
END;
END;

Now run it with sql plus
SQL> exec user_signature('01')

or in TOAD (sql editor)

begin
user_signature('01');
end;

Method 2 (Easiest way): Need TOAD !!!

Select table from schema browser and click on data tab.



Double click on signature data (HugeBlob) (Hint: Not all cap in BLOB data)
Now you'll see following window. See data length is displayed as zero.
At the top-left corner of window you can see "Load a File" icon. Just click on it and it will ask you for file location.


Once file is loaded you can see data length is displayed as 4664



(Hint: now BLOB data dispalys as in all caps letters i.e HUGEBLOB)

Ohhh, It's done !!! now what ?
If you want to copy file on your local hard disk which is stored in oracle database then just do double-click on BLOB data and click on "Save to File" icon at top-left side of window (second icon).

Passing Report name as Report Title

Found something interesting question here posted by Haresh.

Question :Using Desktop Publisher for Word and a standalone BIP Enterprise version, is it possible to pass the report name to the rtf template so that it could be used as the report title?

This feature would be useful when there are multiple reports (different names and slightly different queries/criteria) that use the same templates. We could then dynamically change the report title based on the report name.

Solution

Do not sure if there is any simple way to print report name in rtf template.
There is a work around. Follow below steps...

1>create parameter called Report_Name in every report
2>put default value for that parameter as report name (Title)
3>select parameter type as Hidden

Now in rtf template.

<?param@begin:Report_Name?>
<?$Report_Name?>

Done......