asp.net mvc 3: best way manage a model with an image

Question

I'm trying to find the best way to manage a model with an associated image.

I don't know if is better to persiste the image in data store

class MyModel {
  ...
  public byte[] ImageData { get; set; }
  ...
}

or save the Url and upload the image to filesystem

class MyModel {
  ...
  public string ImageUrl { get; set; }
  ...
}

The essential thing is that I want manage the image in when I'm creating or editing the model record.

I don't want a dedicated model/view/controller aimed to upload/persist the image to the server. I want manage the imaged linked to a specific entity in the db.

Regards, Giacomo

Answer 1

Your first approach is fine because you're storing the image in the database. You will still need a helper function of some sort which generates a URL to a handler which renders/displays the image.

You could choose to also store the image url in which case you wouldn't necessarily need a helper method.

If you would be storing images outside the database (e.g. on the filesystem) you wouldn't need the ImageData byte field obviously...