questions about blobs

[DARTHTAMPON]

in sql you have the blob datatype (binary large object), and i was wondering how they worked.

I assume that if I wanted to store pictures in a database, I would use this datatype?

am I correct?

and if this works how do I setup a form to let a user browse their computer to upload an image into the database and how could I varify that the image is an image and not just junk (would a reg exp work to search for the jpeg) I am building my site in php and any help, flames, links, how-tos are welcomed and greatly appreciated.

thx john