# GridFS

The C driver includes two APIs for GridFS.

The older API consists of mongoc_gridfs_t and its derivatives. It contains deprecated API, does not support read preferences, and is not recommended in new applications. It does not conform to the MongoDB GridFS specification.

The newer API consists of mongoc_gridfs_bucket_t and allows uploading/downloading through derived mongoc_stream_t objects. It conforms to the MongoDB GridFS specification.

There is not always a straightforward upgrade path from an application built with mongoc_gridfs_t to mongoc_gridfs_bucket_t (e.g. a mongoc_gridfs_file_t provides functions to seek but mongoc_stream_t does not). But users are encouraged to upgrade when possible.