Monks ~

I'm writing a script which accepts a JPEG upload from a user and, after appropriate checks, stores it for later display. So far so good, thanks in large part to the time I've spent here.

But a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and I know just enough programming to realize I don't know how best to store or organize these files. Here's what I know (or think I know):

• From what I know of file systems, it's not efficient to dump hundreds of files in the same directory because it dramatically slows search and retreival.
• Thus, I need an algorithm to somehow distribute the uploaded files over a directory structure.
• Um ... that's it.

Left to my own devices I'd make a hard limit on the number of files allowed in a directory and, when that limit's reached, move to a new directory and start to fill it. Lather, rinse, repeat. I'd probably use 3 characters (e.g. "aaa," "aab") for directory names. The server in question is running FreeBSD, and I'm currently trying to find a good number for "max_directory_entries."

From a programming class I took yon these many moons ago (not my degree, obviously), I remember using hash structures for storing and retrieving data. My sense is that this would be overkill for what I need. I'm never going to search these directories, since the database will always know exactly where every image is.

Does anyone have any insight or suggestions?

Thanks!
--
man with no legs, inc.

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