This chapter covers topics related to PL/SQL semantics for LOBs.

• Implicit Conversion with LOBs
  This section describes the implicit conversion process in PL/SQL from one LOB type to another LOB type or from a LOB type to a non-LOB type.
• Explicit Data Type Conversion Functions
  This section describes the explicit conversion functions in SQL and PL/SQL to convert other data types to and from CLOB, NCLOB, and BLOB data types.
• Temporary LOBs Created by SQL and PL/SQL Built-in Functions
  When a LOB is returned from a SQL or PL/SQL built-in function, then the result returned is a temporary LOB. Similarly, a LOB returned from a user-defined PL/SQL function or procedure, as a value or an OUT parameter, may be a temporary LOB.