Database or File System for Document Storage: Which Approach is Best?

File Storage Considerations: Database vs File System

When managing a vast repository of documents, deciding whether to store them in a database or a file system becomes crucial. Each approach offers its advantages and drawbacks.

Storing Files in a Database vs File System: Which is Better?

For document management systems with fast file retrieval as a top priority, storing files directly in the file system is generally recommended.

Database Storage:

• Pros:

  • Easy to implement due to built-in storage capabilities
  • Metadata can be stored alongside files, facilitating searches

• Cons:

  • Performance can suffer when storing large binary files
  • File sizes can push the database beyond its capacity

File System Storage:

• Pros:

  • Vastly efficient for storing large binary files
  • Faster retrieval times, crucial for document management
  • Simpler to manage and backup

• Cons:

  • Metadata is stored separately, making searches less efficient

Security Considerations

• Confidentiality: Store documents outside of the public-accessible web root and use a controller to handle document retrieval.
• Sharded Path: Split document storage into multiple directories to prevent bottlenecks.
• Inode Number: High volumes of small files can deplete inode numbers; store large files or use a sharded path to mitigate this issue.

Metadata Considerations:

If searching for documents based on specific metadata is required, consider storing this metadata in a database for enhanced performance. MySQL does not offer a FILESYSTEM column type like MS SQL Server, but external tools can provide similar functionality.

Ultimately, the choice between database and file system storage for your document management system should align with your specific performance, security, and metadata requirements. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each approach to make an informed decision that meets your customer's needs.

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