An application retrieves text and image columns in two ways:
It selects the columns, binds the columns, and fetches rows. In other words, an application retrieves and process text and image columns in the same way it retrieves and processes any other type of column.
It selects the columns, uses ct_fetch to loop through result rows, and uses ct_get_data to retrieve data in the text and image columns. An application uses this method when processing text or image values that are too large for convenient binding.