[Resolved] Images - database or upload

[sarah]

I am working on a script that allows users to upload images that will be displayed in a different area of the site. Before I get too far into it, is it better to store the images in a MySQL database or just as files on the server?

[renaun]

There are advantages and disadvantages for both:

Database lets you not worry about file structure and permissions. They can be a little slow on access time for larger files. Allows more custom organization of how you want to retrieve the files.

File system's access is quicker, but you have to handle organization of the upload files your self.

Thats a quick low down. There might be other considerations for your specific needs/situation.

[sarah]

Thanks for such a quick reply... Some of the images will be pretty big. I'll just go ahead and make them upload the actual files. Thanks again. :-)

[AstroTeg]

I don't see any advantage with storing the images in a database. The idea behind the database is to organize data in such a way you can perform manipulations and queries on the data.

You don't have any manipulations or queries on the raw data (well, besides retrieving the data, but you could do that with a file system). So I don't see any advantage of just tossing the images in there. Doesn't mean you can't, but I don't think the benefits are there.

Handling uploaded images is not too difficult. The fun part (or the hard part depending on what you like doing) is figuring out how you want to name the files to they're unique. You can always save the file name in the database (and would take up less space in the D😎.