A flat file is a simple type of computer file that stores information in plain text. Think of it like a list or a table where everything is organized in rows and columns. Each line in the file is one record, and the columns are separated by special characters, like commas or spaces. For example, you might have a flat file that lists names, addresses, and phone numbers, with each piece of information separated by a comma.
Flat files are easy to create and use because they don’t need special software. You can open them with a basic text editor like Notepad. However, they aren’t as powerful as other types of databases, which can store more complex information and let you search through the data in better ways.
Even though flat files are simple, they can still be useful for storing small amounts of data or when you just need something quick and easy to manage. They are often used for things like storing configurations or transferring data between systems.
What is a Flat File?
A flat file is a simple type of computer file that stores information in plain text. Think of it like a list or a table where everything is organized in rows and columns. Each line in the file is one record, and the columns are separated by special characters, like commas or spaces. For example, you might have a flat file that lists names, addresses, and phone numbers, with each piece of information separated by a comma.
Flat files are easy to create and use because they don’t need special software. You can open them with a basic text editor like Notepad. However, they aren’t as powerful as other types of databases, which can store more complex information and let you search through the data in better ways.
Even though flat files are simple, they can still be useful for storing small amounts of data or when you just need something quick and easy to manage. They are often used for things like storing configurations or transferring data between systems.