One of the benefits of using a database system over the file system to store files is to overcome throughput issues.

Having directories of millions of files for example can kill IO throughput. Databases can overcome this because usually they use a single table space. Not to mention they have sophisticated data caching methods.

But do remember, a file system was designed to store files, so in the majority of cases it is advisable to use it.

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AKA Martin Gallagher