reading from MySQL is faster or reading from a file is faster?

Question

HI

I got a doubt I have seen reading mysql data is slower in case of large tables...I have done lots of optimization but cant get through..

what I am thinki

Answer 1

Reading one file = fast.

Reading many / big files = slow.

Reading singular small entries from database = waste of I/O.

Combining many entries within the database = faster than file accesses.