Is Converting Files to Byte Arrays the Optimal Solution for Database Storage?

Convert file to byte array: best solution for database storage?

Question

To store files into a database or disk, consider the most efficient and reliable method. One way is to convert the file to a byte array before saving it. This article explores whether converting files to byte arrays is the best strategy for storing any file format.

Explanation

The suitability of converting a file to a byte array for database storage depends on the specific database used. For example, in SQL Server, creating tables using VARBINARY(MAX) columns allows efficient storage of byte arrays.

The following C# code demonstrates how to store a file from a drive into a database:

public static void databaseFilePut(string varFilePath) {
    byte[] file;
    using (var stream = new FileStream(varFilePath, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read)) {
        using (var reader = new BinaryReader(stream)) {
            file = reader.ReadBytes((int)stream.Length);
        }
    }
    using (var varConnection = Locale.sqlConnectOneTime(Locale.sqlDataConnectionDetails))
    using(var sqlWrite = new SqlCommand("INSERT INTO Raporty (RaportPlik) Values(@File)", varConnection)) {
        sqlWrite.Parameters.Add("@File", SqlDbType.VarBinary, file.Length).Value = file;
        sqlWrite.ExecuteNonQuery();
    }
}

To retrieve a file and save it to your drive:

public static void databaseFileRead(string varID, string varPathToNewLocation) {
    using (var varConnection = Locale.sqlConnectOneTime(Locale.sqlDataConnectionDetails))
    using(var sqlQuery = new SqlCommand(@"SELECT [RaportPlik] FROM [dbo].[Raporty] WHERE [RaportID] = @varID", varConnection)) {
        sqlQuery.Parameters.AddWithValue("@varID", varID);
        using (var sqlQueryResult = sqlQuery.ExecuteReader())
            if(sqlQueryResult != null) {
                sqlQueryResult.Read();
                var blob = new Byte[(sqlQueryResult.GetBytes(0, 0, null, 0, int.MaxValue))];
                sqlQueryResult.GetBytes(0, 0, blob, 0, blob.Length);
                using (var fs = new FileStream(varPathToNewLocation, FileMode.Create, FileAccess.Write)) 
                    fs.Write(blob, 0, blob.Length);
            }
    }
}

This method allows the file to be retrieved as a memory stream:

public static MemoryStream databaseFileRead(string varID) {
    MemoryStream memoryStream = new MemoryStream();
    using (var varConnection = Locale.sqlConnectOneTime(Locale.sqlDataConnectionDetails))
    using(var sqlQuery = new SqlCommand(@"SELECT [RaportPlik] FROM [dbo].[Raporty] WHERE [RaportID] = @varID", varConnection)) {
        sqlQuery.Parameters.AddWithValue("@varID", varID);
        using (var sqlQueryResult = sqlQuery.ExecuteReader())
            if (sqlQueryResult != null) {
                sqlQueryResult.Read();
                var blob = new Byte[(sqlQueryResult.GetBytes(0, 0, null, 0, int.MaxValue))];
                sqlQueryResult.GetBytes(0, 0, blob, 0, blob.Length);
                memoryStream.Write(blob, 0, blob.Length);
            }
    }
    return memoryStream;
}

Finally, insert the memory stream into the database:

public static int databaseFilePut(MemoryStream fileToPut) {
    int varID = 0;
    byte[] file = fileToPut.ToArray();
    const string preparedCommand = @"
                    INSERT INTO [dbo].[Raporty]
                               ([RaportPlik])
                         VALUES
                               (@File)
                        SELECT [RaportID] FROM [dbo].[Raporty]
            WHERE [RaportID] = SCOPE_IDENTITY()
                    ";
    using (var varConnection = Locale.sqlConnectOneTime(Locale.sqlDataConnectionDetails))
    using (var sqlWrite = new SqlCommand(preparedCommand, varConnection)) {
        sqlWrite.Parameters.Add("@File", SqlDbType.VarBinary, file.Length).Value = file;

        using (var sqlWriteQuery = sqlWrite.ExecuteReader())
            while (sqlWriteQuery != null && sqlWriteQuery.Read()) {
                varID = sqlWriteQuery["RaportID"] is int ? (int)sqlWriteQuery["RaportID"] : 0;
            }
    }
    return varID;
}

Conclusion

Converting a file to a byte array can be an efficient way to store files of any format in a database or on disk by using appropriate VARBINARY(MAX) columns in SQL Server. The provided code examples provide a comprehensive implementation for reading and writing binary files in the database, ensuring reliable persistence and retrieval of files.

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