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Second contribution from CURABIS ApS, generalized from patterns observed across real AppSource/PTE development. Cross-checked against the current microsoft/knowledge corpus before opening; several originally-drafted candidates were dropped as duplicates of existing files.
44 lines
1.7 KiB
Markdown
44 lines
1.7 KiB
Markdown
---
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bc-version: [all]
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domain: data-modeling
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keywords: [blob, media, mediaset, picture-field, image-field, table-design]
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technologies: [al]
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countries: [w1]
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application-area: [all]
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---
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# Pictures must be stored in a Media/MediaSet field, not BLOB
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## Description
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`BLOB` is still a valid AL field type for arbitrary binary data, but it is
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not the right choice for storing pictures or images. The current
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recommendation is the `Media` field type for a single image, or
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`MediaSet` when a record needs several image variants (e.g. multiple
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sizes). Media/MediaSet integrate with the platform's picture control, the
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media repository, image caching, and thumbnail generation — none of which
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a plain `BLOB` field gets. A `BLOB` field storing a picture works, but it
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is the legacy approach: no caching, no thumbnail support, and no
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integration with the standard picture controls used across Business
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Central pages.
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`BLOB` remains the correct choice for genuinely arbitrary binary payloads
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that are not images and don't benefit from the media pipeline (e.g. a raw
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file attachment blob unrelated to picture rendering).
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## Best Practice
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Use `Media` (or `MediaSet` for multiple image variants) for any field that
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holds a picture.
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See sample: `pictures-must-use-media-not-blob.good.al`.
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## Anti Pattern
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A `BLOB` field named "Picture" compiles and stores the image bytes, but
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it misses the picture control integration, caching, and thumbnail
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generation that a `Media`/`MediaSet` field provides for free — the anti
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pattern is choosing `BLOB` for image storage out of habit rather than
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recognizing that the field is holding a picture, not generic binary data.
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See sample: `pictures-must-use-media-not-blob.bad.al`.
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