![]() This format is widely supported by many software applications and can be easily read and processed by a variety of programming languages and tools. Flat files are typically stored in plain text format, with each line representing a single record, and each record consisting of a set of fields separated by a delimiter such as a comma or a tab. ![]() What is a Flat File used for?įlat files are often used for importing and exporting data because they are a simple and flexible way to transfer data between different software applications or systems. The simple structure means they take up little space and can be easier for programmers to reference. CSV files and other flat file formats have been in steady use in the decades since, seeing fairly little change over the years because the simple nature of the files ensured both continued usefulness, as well as usability. Technically speaking, a simple list of names, addresses, and phone numbers on a sheet of paper can be considered a flat file database.įlat file databases are likely some of the first computer files ever created, as it can be assumed that the punch card files created by Herman Hollerith for the US Census Bureau in the 1890s did not have cards indexing other cards, or otherwise relating individual records to one another. A flat file database is a database consisting of a single such table, which can be as large or small as necessary. ![]() This can be a plain text file, a tabular format such as CSV, TSV, or Excel spreadsheet, or a binary file. The simplest definition of a flat file is a plain text file, with no relational information to other files or database information. Chances are, you’ve worked on or with a flat file in your day-to-day life or work without even realizing it.
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