kate_rose Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I was wondering what the advantages are of storing images in a mysql data base versus retrieving images stored on the server. Which is better? My application: I am developing a web browser based plant ID system that I want to run on & off-line. It will be heavily reliant on images. I am planning to create a CD with all my images for offline use & I will probably include wampserver so in can be run offline. I could alternatively store those images in mysql. I have heard that mysql retrieval of images takes longer. Does it take a lot longer?? If I have a lot of images would it significantly affect their load time? I also want my users to be able to upload & save their photos for comparison purposes. I want the database to be dynamic in that the user could add to or shape the visual elements of the ID system. I also want to be able to update it as I acquire new images & add plants. I have also heard that mysql is better for user upload because of complications with the paths. True?? I would love to hear your opinions & any info you have to share. Thanks, Kate Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/109905-to-store-images-in-mysql-db-or-not-that-is-the-question/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFMaBiSmAd Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 About the only advantage I can think of for storing an image (or any other file) in a database is if you want that image/file to be accessible to more than one web site or more than one web server. If an image/file is stored as a file in a folder, by default it is only accessible to the account that owns that folder, whereas a database would be or could be made accessible to multiple web sites or web servers. Everything else about storing a file in a database is a disadvantage - There is additional overhead just putting the file into a database and every time it is retrieved. There is a database transfer packet size that will limit how big a file can be put into or retrieved in a single query. It causes the database data file size to grow quickly, which makes backing up or moving the database harder because you must store and move a file that is the size of all the images that is in it. It is much easier and less error prone (and easier to recover from an error) to upload/download (ftp) multiple smaller files than a huge database dump/backup file. Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/109905-to-store-images-in-mysql-db-or-not-that-is-the-question/#findComment-564008 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kate_rose Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 So if I want multiple users to be able to use the id program on line at the same time I need to store them in the db?? Sounds like a bad idea all around but I would like to accomadate multiple users if possible. Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/109905-to-store-images-in-mysql-db-or-not-that-is-the-question/#findComment-564051 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFMaBiSmAd Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 So if I want multiple users to be able to use the id program on line at the same time I need to store them in the db??No. I stated more than one web site. That does not mean more than one visitor to a single web site. Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/109905-to-store-images-in-mysql-db-or-not-that-is-the-question/#findComment-564058 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kate_rose Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Thanks Guru I appreciate the info. Sorry I misunderstood. Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/109905-to-store-images-in-mysql-db-or-not-that-is-the-question/#findComment-564061 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.