RE: [PHP] php, text file, and mysql

> But for storing images and PDFs or other binary data, there's > no other way. Actually, after having some problems with BLOB columns when mysqldump'ing and moving the data into a new database, I did find another way. I borrowed a trick from MIME mail handling, and base64_encod'ed, then chunk_split'ed the data. This makes it very text-field friendly. > Note that many MySQL wizards will recommend that instead of > storing binary data in a database, use a filesystem to store > the data and then use the database to create a sort of > "directory" for quickly locating those files in the filesystem, There's a problem with this, it assumes that you only use one filesystem for your site. In the case of Melbourne IT / INWW, we have 5 or 6 web servers that load balance. If a user uploads data and we copy it to the filesystem, then it's only available on 1 web server. This is why we put it in the database. :) Jason -- Jason Murray jasonm@melbourneit.com.au Web Developer, Melbourne IT "Work now, freak later!"