Store images on database or filesystem?

[eluser]slowgary[/eluser]
Thanks Mushex.

I definitely think the database method would be faster, I've just always tried to avoid unnecessary database tables and in this case I'll still have to read the files from disk, so if I can avoid doing a query beforehand that would be bonus.

What about naming my files with a product id or sku as the prefix, then something sequential, e.g.

Code:

JSE54736_IMAGE_001
JSE54736_IMAGE_002
JSE54736_IMAGE_003
JSE54736_IMAGE_004

Then I can just assume 001 and increment until the file read fails. Of course this would require more code to add or remove images. I'm just thinking out loud here (and typing it). I think having a separate table makes most sense after all. Any other suggestions?