Optimal/flexible way to save uploaded image.

Hello to all,

Which one is flexible/optimal solution to save uplaoded image.
Frist save image at server or from where you're site pages are save in any image folder and save only image name or link to database.
Secondly convert image to bite form then save whole bite form image to database.


My friends feel that second one is right choice, but i felt that frist one is correct as conversion procedure and retrival from database is completly time consuming and not correct from web hosting point of view.

Suggest best as technically and praticall true.

Feel free to give all kind of suggestion.

re: Optimal/flexible way to save uploaded image.

I prefer the first method. Is there any particular reason why your friends say the second method is better?