Storing and retrieving PDF file using VB.NET and mysql DB longblob/varbinary

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VB

MySQL

MySQL-Connector

Hi All,

I am working on a project for a refresher course I am doing in VB (It has been a long time since I touched it). The scope is VB.NET based employee information system using MySQL database.

I have managed to complete everything except for one step - File save (PDF) to the MySQL DB and ability to download the file. This I have never done before.


This is the MySQL DB Connect Method I Re-Use

Public Sub DBConnect()
        Dim DatabaseName As String = My.Computer.Registry.GetValue("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\db", "4", Nothing)
        Dim server As String = My.Computer.Registry.GetValue("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\db", "1", Nothing)
        Dim userName As String = My.Computer.Registry.GetValue("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\db", "2", Nothing)
        Dim password As String = My.Computer.Registry.GetValue("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\db", "3", Nothing)

        If Not sConnection Is Nothing Then sConnection.Close()
        sConnection.ConnectionString = String.Format("server={0}; user id={1}; password={2}; database={3}; pooling=false", server, userName, password, DatabaseName)
        Try
            sConnection.Open()

        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.Message)
            MsgBox("ERROR 1001")

        End Try

    End Sub

Inserting a User Details into the DB

<pre>
Public Sub InsertUser()
        DBConnect()

        Dim sqlQuery As String = "INSERT INTO db_table (firstname, surname, age, dept) VALUES('" & fname_box.Text & "','" & sname_box.Text & "','" & age_box.Text & "','" & dept_box.Text & "')"

        Dim sqlCommand As New MySqlCommand

        With sqlCommand
            .CommandText = sqlQuery
            .Connection = sConnection
            .ExecuteNonQuery()
        End With

        LoadUsers()
       

    End Sub

My Question

I am looking for any ideas/suggestions you might have to upload a PDF document to the MySQL DB either as part of the above process (OR) as a separate process.
The Project has a requirement to attach a signed consent form for the user in PDF format, hence the requirement.

Essentially:
1. Browse for File
2. Select File
3. Upload or Save to MySQL LONGBLOB or VARBINARY

4. Ability to download PDF from button click.

What I have tried:

I have reviewed a few different solutions on youtube and other websites but each time I attempt one of them, I generally run into issues (mainly with the way in which I call the DB connection) which would take another hour to type and explain :) Essentially I am just looking for advice from someone who has achieved this previously.

Thank you in advance.