[fpc-pascal] Re: RE : Re: RE : RE : RE : Assigning value to ftVariant datatype& varbytes-still stuck

[Reinier Olislagers]

On 9-8-2011 13:34, Ludo Brands wrote:
>> I've changed ftVariant to base64 encoding (i.e. treat is as 
>> binary) in commit 19: 
> 
> Mmm... That's taking risks and requires quite some testing with the
> different host applications. When transferring data as strings, we know that
> apps do the string to integer/date/whatever transformation. But when you
> transfer them as binary, I'm afraid that they will be imported as is ie. no
> transformation. 
Yes, it is taking a risk. However, if I understand correctly, a variant
can contain an integer, string, anything really. Couldn't it also
contain blob or binary data?
Encoding it as base64 seems safer to me than just blindly writing it out
as a string.

(Don't know if ftVariant fields are ever used in real world databases
though)

I really don't care myself which way we go - I'll happily defer to your
expertise.

Just say the word & I'll change them all back to string ;)