How does storing images in arrays in PHP compare to using databases for image storage?

Storing images in arrays in PHP can be inefficient and consume a lot of memory, especially for large images. It is better to store images in databases for better scalability, performance, and easier management. Databases provide features like indexing, querying, and storage optimizations that are specifically designed for handling image data efficiently.

// Storing images in a database in PHP
// Assuming you have a database connection established

$imageData = file_get_contents('path/to/image.jpg');
$encodedImage = base64_encode($imageData);

$query = "INSERT INTO images_table (image_data) VALUES ('$encodedImage')";
$result = mysqli_query($connection, $query);

if($result) {
    echo "Image stored in database successfully!";
} else {
    echo "Error storing image in database";
}