sample code in VB i found somewhere

'write to sql

Dim cn As ADODB.Connection

Dim rs As ADODB.Recordset

Dim mstream As ADODB.Stream

Set cn = New ADODB.Connection

cn.Open "Provider=SQLOLEDB;data Source=<name of your SQL Server>;

Initial Catalog=pubs;User Id=<Your Userid>;Password=<Your Password>"

Set rs = New ADODB.Recordset

rs.Open "Select * from pub_info", cn, adOpenKeyset, adLockOptimistic

Set mstream = New ADODB.Stream

mstream.Type = adTypeBinary

mstream.Open

mstream.LoadFromFile "<path to .gif file>"

rs.Fields("logo").Value = mstream.Read

rs.Update

rs.Close

cn.Close

'Read from sql

Dim cn As ADODB.Connection

Dim rs As ADODB.Recordset

Dim mstream As ADODB.Stream

Set cn = New ADODB.Connection

cn.Open "Provider=SQLOLEDB;data Source=<name of your SQL Server>;

Initial Catalog=pubs;User Id=<Your Userid>;Password=<Your Password>"

Set rs = New ADODB.Recordset

rs.Open "Select * from pub_info", cn, adOpenKeyset, adLockOptimistic

Set mstream = New ADODB.Stream

mstream.Type = adTypeBinary

mstream.Open

mstream.Write rs.Fields("logo").Value

mstream.SaveToFile "c:\publogo.gif", adSaveCreateOverWrite

rs.Close

cn.Close