It is very simple to lock or unlock a file using flock, and even MySQL manual recommend not storing binary files (like images) in a MySQL table, but recommends storing just the path to the file and stor the files on the hard disk. I know that most of the programmers just want to use the most easy method, and of course that using a database for storing everything is more simple, because instead of storing a path to a file, then upload a file and move it to the target directory, making sure that directory has the necessary permission, the program would just need to store the entire content of the file in a table field, and nothing more. In most of the cases this is the only solution because many programmers need to use a shared web host which in my opinion is not nice at all, because most of the privileges are disabled, but the access to the database is allowed, and in all those cases the access speed and the performance of the web site is not important at all, because those sites usually don't have very many visitors in the same time. Octavian ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Hofstader To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 3:23 PM Subject: RE: Looking for suggestions for a database to use with a website One can make a text file read only while it is being edited to prevent clobbering someone else's changes. This, however, is pretty ancient history and I don't think too many people would think it a better solution to file/record/table locking in an actual database anymore. Also, most database programs today will cache changes for a locked object and handle them when it is unlocked. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of treble Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 7:05 PM To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Looking for suggestions for a database to use with a website The only problem with using text instead of a database is the condition in which 2 clients modify the database at the same time. MYSQL and other databases presumably prevent this from happening. You can also set of user accounts or just allow uploads or mods from anyone, which is rather dangerous. --le ----- Original Message ----- From: Octavian Rasnita To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 3:16 PM Subject: Re: Looking for suggestions for a database to use with a website The best way is to store the files on the hard disk of the computer, and if you will need to upload new files, or delete some of them, store a path to the files in a database like MySQL or SQLite. If you don't need to upload new files, or modify the list of files in any way, you can use a simple text file for storing those file names. (I gave the second suggestion, because if you are asking about a database, I think you might find easier to work with text files). Octavian ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Jaquiss To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 8:20 PM Subject: Looking for suggestions for a database to use with a website Hello: I am about to receive over 11,000 pdf files that I want to put up on a website. These are images that when printed on capsule paper will produce tactile images. The idea is that a teacher or parent could look through the list, select a file and then place an order to have it printed. It has been suggested to me that I use a database for this sort of operation. I do have an Excel spreadsheet with descriptive information about each file. I am looking for suggestions regarding what database would be good to use. Thank you. Regards, Robert Jaquiss __________ NOD32 2590 (20071012) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com