There has always been the debate as to whether to store binary large object (BLOB) data such as images, documents, audio and video inside the database or outside on the file system. The problem with storing the BLOB data inside the database was that the database would become huge and unwieldy. The downside with storing BLOB data as external files was that your data would be exposed in terms of the lack of transaction processing and synchronized recovery after system failures.
Now, in SQL Server 2008, you have the best of both worlds with the introduction of the Filestream storage option. No longer do you have to make compromises. This option allows the storage of SQL Server BLOB data externally on the file system with synchronized, durable transaction processing and full recovery options.
The way it works is that the varbinary(max) data type is used in conjunction with the Filestream storage attribute on a column. Another benefit is that although normal varbinary(max) columns are limited to 2GB, you are actually only limited by your hardware with Filestream storage.
I know what you're thinking. Yes, now you can store your favorite version of "Star Wars" within a SQL Server database. May the Force be with you!
Cheers,
Brian
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