The Art of SQL Server FILESTREAM - Red Gate Software

Chapter 11: FileTableThe addition of the FileTable feature in SQL Server 2012 heralded the first significantchange to FILESTREAM since its introduction in SQL Server 2008. A FileTable is basicallyjust a "normal" SQL Server table for storing FILESTREAM data, via a VARBINARY(MAX)column called file_stream, but which also stores metadata regarding the underlyingfiles and directories. This allows Windows applications to access FILESTREAM dataexactly as if it were stored directly on the file system, and addresses the need to access theFILESTREAM data outside of the context of a SQL Server transaction. It also supportsfeatures such as full-text and semantic search on FILESTREAM data.In this chapter, we'll investigate how a FileTable is different from tables withFILESTREAM columns and how to create and access FileTables. We'll also look behindthe covers of FileTable to understand better how the FILESTREAM feature is used toimplement FileTables.Introduction to FileTableFileTable is solidly based on many concepts found in the FILESTREAM feature. Justlike normal FILESTREAM tables, FileTables are meant to store BLOB data on an NTFSvolume, while keeping that data integrated with the relational data found in the SQLServer database. FileTable also retains full compatibility with existing SQL Server tools,services, and query options. However, unlike data stored in a traditional FILESTREAMcolumn, client applications do not require modifications in order to access data stored ina FileTable. Contrast this to the requirement of using the Win32 or .NET streaming APIsin client applications that use normal FILESTREAM tables, and you'll agree that FileTableshave an advantage.387