What is the difference between SQL and file based databases?

MySQL

SQL and "File Based Databases" can't really be compared directly as they refer to two different concepts.

SQL is a language for querying databases.

"File Based Databases" often refer to data storage that you manage through your own methods, rather than using a language like SQL to query and manipulate the data.

For example, MySQL stores its data in files on the hard drive. To store and manipulate the data and its structure, you use SQL queries. MySQL takes care of the data Behind the Scenes, and provides methods for sorting and arranging the data returned to queries. You never deal directly with the files that MySQL uses to store the data.