Should I Store Images Directly in a Database or Use Base64 Encoding?

Storing Images in a Database: Direct or Base64?

Traditionally, images stored in databases are converted to base64 data, increasing their size by 33%. However, it is also possible to store images directly as BLOBs. While the latter method saves storage space, it has not gained widespread adoption for several reasons:

• Not a Common Practice: It is not standard practice to store images directly in databases, as it is considered an inefficient use of storage resources.
• Increased Processing Overhead: Converting images to base64 increases processing overhead compared to storing raw binary data.
• Increased Storage Requirements: Storing images in base64 format consumes more storage space than storing them as raw data.
• Performance Issues: Accessing images stored as base64 data may be slower than directly retrieving raw binary data.
• Compatibility Issues: Not all databases support storing large binary objects, and converting images to base64 ensures compatibility across different database systems.
• Legacy Support: Many existing applications and systems use base64 encoding for images, making it difficult to transition to direct storage.

While direct storage of images can offer advantages in terms of storage space optimization, the disadvantages mentioned above have contributed to the continued prevalence of base64 encoding for storing images in MySQL databases.

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