uploading,which is better...files or database?

JackOfBlades

hi guys i just want to ask which is better when u want to upload a pic or perhaps some files like .rar n etc. is it better to use database or files? i use files because it's what i learned first and i think it's better but my friend uses the database i think it's the blob and he says it's better... if you ask me i think we're just both biased on what we know that's why im posing this message cause i want to know which is really better since you guys are more experienced in this field. i would just like to know which is generally better, what are their pros and cons each of them and etc. thanks a lot in advance

bogu

I think is files, if u keep them in db u'll get a enormous db and when u need to back it up and downloading from the FTP is going to take u a lot of time ...

P.S. I use files uploading too ...

leatherback

files require storing of paths etc. Database doesn't. Database becomes large, and require retrieving files.

Both have a similar number of supporters; use what you are familier with. I use files, for my photography domains, historically grown&because I can host them seperately (cheaper ;-).

Jack_McSlay

It could be a good idea for storing small crucial files. I for example, use DB to store INI paramaters. files are easier to manage and I believe they work faster as well.

I think the biggest advantages of DBs is that they could be easier to backup since there's a smaller number of files to work with and out-of-the-box backup functions

if you're looking for security measures, I suggest considering chmod() , and/or putting files outside the webserver root and using readfile() to output the file.

edwardsbc

This is an age old question, discussed in great depth on many forums. Use what works for you, what you can understand and maintain. Moores law has always helped manage the future problems caused by the early design choice.

If you believe your application will need cutting edge performance, here are some things you will need to analyze to make your choice. This is list is undoubtedly incomplete:

OS / File system performance
OS / Database threading/process performance
Caching proxy schemes/front ends
Database server available memory
Size and Number of files to store
Upload/Download ratio

MarkR

I think all performance arguments are completely rubbish unless they're actually backed up by any useful benchmarks. And who really cares anyway?

Using BLOBs in a database is preferable for small files (Say, <8M, fit in memory) as it makes the management a lot easier as your data are all in one place.

With files, management is more of a pain as you must keep the database and filesystem in sync. If you use a BLOB, when you do "DELETE FROM ...", the file is removed.

Mark