Is Storing Files as Byte Arrays in SQL Server's VARBINARY(MAX) an Effective Database Storage Solution?

Database File Storage: VARBINARY(MAX) – A Suitable Approach?

Storing diverse file types (e.g., .gif, .doc, .pdf) within a database presents a significant challenge. A common solution involves converting files into byte arrays and storing them as binary data. But is this the most efficient method?

This analysis focuses on SQL Server's VARBINARY(MAX) data type for storing file data.

Database File Input

The databaseFilePut function reads a file, transforms it into a byte array (using FileStream and BinaryReader), and inserts this array into the Raporty table's VARBINARY(MAX) column.

Database File Output

The databaseFileRead function retrieves a file from the database and saves it to a specified file system location. It reads the byte array from the VARBINARY(MAX) column, reconstructs the file, and writes it to the designated path.

In-Memory File Access

The databaseFileRead function also facilitates retrieving the file as a MemoryStream. This allows for in-memory file processing without the need for temporary file system storage.

Storing MemoryStream Data

The databaseFilePut function supports direct insertion of MemoryStream data into the VARBINARY(MAX) column. It converts the MemoryStream to a byte array before database insertion.

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