I am trying to use MySQL's LOAD_FILE() function to SQL UPDATE existing records in a table. I am getting a SQL syntax error I suspect because the file contains, single and double quotes as well as slashes. I have also tried reading the file in binary mode using Perl's binmode into a scalar and using MySQL UPDATE....SET, but that also bombs when the SQL is executed with a syntax error.

I am at a loss, as I know INSERT will also be a pain since the data contains quotes which are needed as field separators. Anyone have any ideas on other approaches I might try?

The actual SQL:

UPDATE artists SET page=LOAD_FILE('/tmp/left.txt') where 
code='aname';
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is successful when executed from mysql client, so I know the MySQL requirements are met.

In Perl:

UPDATE artistsfull SET page=LOAD_FILE($infile) where code='$code';
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is what bombs. I have checked values of the scalars before SQL execution and they seem fine.

Any Spiritual guidance much appreciated.