Can mysql store unstructured data

Although MySQL can store unstructured data (BLOB/TEXT fields), it is highly recommended to avoid this practice. Reasons include: inefficient query, redundant data, bloat of databases, and inappropriate for complex queries. More suitable storage solutions include object storage services or NoSQL databases.

Can MySQL store unstructured data? The answer is: Yes, but don’t do that!

Many beginners, even some veteran drivers, will have doubts about this issue. MySQL, everyone’s first impression is a relational database, with regular tables and fields, and everything is in order. How can unstructured data, such as pictures, audio, and video, stuff these messy things into the elegant database of MySQL?

The answer is: Yes, but it is strongly recommended that you think twice before doing it.

MySQL does provide the ability to store unstructured data, the main method is to use BLOB or TEXT type fields. BLOB is used to store binary data, such as pictures and audio; TEXT is used to store text data. Although it can theoretically store other types, this is not usually recommended.

Let's take a closer look:

BLOB and TEXT type fields can store large amounts of data, but this does not mean that they are ideal for handling unstructured data. Their main problems are:

• Query inefficient: Do you want to find images that meet certain criteria from a bunch of images? This is not something you can do simply by WHERE . You need additional processing, such as extracting the metadata of the image and then searching. This will seriously affect the performance of the database and your query speed may be so slow that you may doubt your life.
• Data redundancy: You stuff all images into the database, which will take up a lot of storage space. Moreover, these images may also have backups elsewhere, resulting in data redundancy.
• Database bloat: As the amount of data increases, your database will become more and more bloated, and backup and recovery will become extremely slow.
• Not suitable for complex queries: Relational databases are good at processing structured data, and the SQL-based query language is very efficient. But for unstructured data, SQL is very inefficient and you may need to use other tools or technologies to process it.

So, how should unstructured data be processed?

My advice is: Don't use MySQL! MySQL is a relational database, and it is not created to process unstructured data. A more suitable solution is to use a specialized storage system, such as:

• Object storage services (for example: AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage): These services are designed to store unstructured data, with the advantages of high availability, high scalability, and low cost. You can upload pictures, audio, video and other data to these services, and then store only the URL or ID of the data in MySQL. In this way, MySQL only needs to store a small amount of data and can easily manage large amounts of unstructured data.
• NoSQL databases (for example: MongoDB, Cassandra): NoSQL databases are more flexible and can store various types of unstructured data. But choosing a NoSQL database requires careful consideration because you need to learn new database technologies and operating methods.

For example:

Suppose you want to store the avatar uploaded by the user.

Bad practice: Add a BLOB type field to the MySQL table to store avatar data.

Excellent practice: upload the avatar to an object storage service (such as AWS S3), and then store only the URL of the avatar in the MySQL table. In this way, MySQL only needs to store a string, and the image itself is stored in the object storage service, which not only saves space but also improves query efficiency.

A last piece of advice: Only by choosing the right tool to process data can you achieve twice the result with half the effort. Don't try to use a hammer to screw the screws. MySQL is a relational database and it has its own advantages and limitations. Only by understanding this can you avoid getting stuck in the project. Remember, elegant code is not only efficient, but also clear and easy to understand!

The above is the detailed content of Can mysql store unstructured data. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!