With a flat fileĭatabase package each database that you create can only contain one file.Ī relational database can store more than one file within a database. Flat FileĪ flat file database is the simplest kind of database. They are flat file databases and relational databases. There are two different types of database package that you are likely to find in a school. The output that is produced by the database is

When setting up a database it is usual to define a set of Keeping information for a doctors surgery may contain the following files :Įach file is identified by a filename (e.g. Must be organised so that the computer can analyse and search it automatically.ĭata in a database is usually organised into one or moreįiles storing information relevant to the organisation that hasĬreated the database. Has been stored to find particular pieces of information. Very useful because it will provide tools to let the user search through the data that Relational Algebra: Records in flat file database tables meet tuple definitions under relational algebra.Databases are used when a large quantity of information has to be stored.Data Types: Columns in the database tables are restricted to a particular data type and are not indicated, unless the data is passed on to a relational database.Columns are separated using delimiter characters. Separated Columns: Flat file databases are based on fixed-width data formatting.Database Management System: The text data represent an intermediate style of data before being loaded into the database.A few features of the data in flat file databases include: Most of the applications permit users to store and retrieve information from flat files based on a predefined set of fields.įlat files include data types common to other databases. In spite of the limitations associated with flat files, flat file databases are used internally by various computer applications to store data related to configuration. These tables serve as a solution for simple database tasks. The tables within a flat file database can be sorted based on column values. Flat file database tables can be set in various application types, including HTML documents, simple word processors or worksheets in spreadsheet applications.

Flat file database software