[Discuss] Stalwart E-mail; Was: Re: SSH options

[markw at mohawksoft.com (markw at mohawksoft.com)]

I think this discussion about database vs file systems is kind of lost. A
database is too ill defined to get any real traction.

If we are talking about a classic database, like PostgreSQL, Oracle, DB2,
etc, then I will say that these systems "can" store large data objects,
but it is not optimal, and if you are interested I can point you to some
resources. There are "databases" designed to hold large data objects, but
that is a different topic.

>From a logical point of view, a file system is a type of database. It
maintains data, maintains meta data, can be queried. You can even store
data with a file in some file systems with extended attributes.

It comes down to what the system is designed to do.  A "classic" database
doesn't necessarily need a file system (oracle). Its job is to maintain
data integrity and relations. They are not optimal for "storage" but are
designed to be "right." A file system is designed for storage and
retrieval.

> Rich Pieri wrote on 2026-01-24 06:20:
>
>> Stream objects [x-rays & PDFs] can be stored in global nodes but the
>> typical use and best practice is to store these data as files on the
>> filesystem.
>
> Sounds good, attachments as files isn't a Bad Idea.
>
> Of course, neither is email as database records.
>
>
> I'd have some hesitation with bifurcating the storage between a DB and
> the file system do to the possibility (inevitability?) of the 2 storage
> systems going out of sync.
>
> It's fine for web apps, but email messages (and medical records!) are a
> bit more important.
>
>
>
> If a file gets deleted, how does the DB know to update its index? Is all
> file access through the one software? That's reasonable to expect, but
> also one would want occasional re-indexing probably, should such a
> situation arise.
>
>
> For example, NextCloud runs a cron job to look for changes in the users'
> directories in the  file system and re-index folders with changes.
>
>
>> Why? Because storing them in the database fills the in-memory index
>> with unneeded bloat which slows down the process of data retrieval.
> Mime-types to exclude indexing the contents of several formats of
> attachments should alleviate this, no?
>
> _______________________________________________
> Discuss mailing list
> Discuss at lists.blu.org
> https://lists.blu.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>