Search code examples
file-upload.net-coreiformfile

There is any difference in uploading IFormFile vs Base64 string in .netcore web api?

I'm using .net core web api to accept, upload and download the file content.

I've already tried IFormFile and simple base64 encoded file content

UploadFile(IFormFile file) UploadFile([FromBody] string base64Filecontentstring)

I'm just wondering if there is any difference in using any of those? If there is, which one should you use and when?

Solution

  • For small files Base64 will work fine, it's easy to handle and avoids dependency on Http.IFormFile in Domain.

    But sending large files as Base64 using JSON is not a good idea. It will take a lot of memory & time for converting back to the actual image for copying on the Server.

    I suggest the excellent article: https://medium.com/@ma1f/file-streaming-performance-in-dotnet-4dee608dd953 which shows that base64 performance is 5x-20x worse.

    It's up to you.