Storing PDF Files as BLOBs in MySQL Using PHP

One method to store PDF files as BLOBs (Binary Large Objects) in MySQL using PHP is by utilizing MySQL's functions to interface with the database. Here's a code snippet that demonstrates this approach:

$result = mysql_query('INSERT INTO table (data) VALUES (\'' . mysql_real_escape_string(file_get_contents('/path/to/the/file/to/store.pdf')) . '\');');

However, storing BLOBs in databases is generally not considered optimal due to potential issues like table bloat. An alternative approach would be to store the path to the file in the database instead of the file itself.

Outdated PHP Code and Deprecation Note

It's crucial to note that the code example provided uses the deprecated mysql_* functions. These functions are no longer recommended and were completely removed in PHP 7. To avoid potential errors, it's essential to switch to more modern alternatives such as MySQLi or PDO for database abstraction.

Alternative with MySQLi Procedural Mode

Using MySQLi in procedural mode, here's how you can perform the same task:

$result = mysqli_query($db, 'INSERT INTO table (data) VALUES (\'' . mysqli_real_escape_string(file_get_contents('/path/to/the/file/to/store.pdf'), $db) . '\');');

Recommended Approach: MySQLi/PDO Prepared Statements

For optimal performance and security, it's recommended to utilize MySQLi or PDO with prepared statements to store BLOBs in MySQL.