title: Basic info on how to export BLOB as files
body: <p>I have researched on how to export BLOBs to image.  A DB has an <code>IMAGE</code> column storing several thousand images.  I thought of exporting the table but I get a <code>BLOB</code> file error in <em>EMS SQL Manager</em> for InterBase and Firebird.</p>
  <p>There have been good posts, but I have still not been able to succeed.</p>
  <ol>
  <li><p><a href="http://makdns.blogspot.mx/2012/02/sql-server-blob-import-and-export.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SQL scripts to insert File to BLOB field and export BLOB to File</a></p>
  <p>This example has appeared on numerous pages, including Microsoft's site.  I am using INTERBASE (Firebird). I have not found anything related to enabling xp_shell for Firebird, or <em>EMS SQL Manager</em> for InterBase and Firebird (which I have also installed).  My guess is: its not possible.  I also tried Installing SQL Server Express, SQL Server 2008, and SQL Server 2012.  I am at a dead end without having even connected to the server.  The reason being I have not managed to start the server.  Followed the guide at technet.microsoft: <a href="https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191454%28v=sql.105%29.aspx?f=255&amp;MSPPError=-2147217396" rel="nofollow noreferrer">How to: Start SQL Server Agent</a> but there are no services on the right pane to me.</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>PHP file to download entire column (may not post link due to rep limitation).</p>
  <p>It has a MySQL connect section that daunts me.  There on my computer is the DB as a <code>GDB</code> file, I also have XAMPP.  I can figure out a way to use this as a localhost environment.  I hope this is making sense.</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>Last solution is to use <code>bcp</code>, an idea posted on Stack Overflow titled: fastest way to export blobs from table into individual files.  I read the documentation, installed it, but cannot connect to server. I use <code>-S PC-PC -U xxx -P xxx</code> (The server must be wrong)  But the information I find all uses <code>-T</code> (Windows Authentication)</p>
  </li>
  </ol>
  <p>Summing up. I am using Firebird, as <em>EMS SQL Manager</em>.  I try to extract all images from images table into individual files.  These tools both have SQL script screens, but it appears to be in conjunction with xp shell.  What would you suggest? Am I using the wrong SQL manager to accomplish this?</p>