Flat file意思

"Flat file" is a term used in computing that refers to a type of data storage where each record is stored as a single line, with each field being delimited by a specific character or set of characters, such as a comma, tab, or space. Flat files are also known as "plain text files" or "ASCII files" because they typically use human-readable text characters for data.

In contrast to more complex database structures, flat files do not have a defined data structure or schema, and they do not support relationships between records. Each record in a flat file is independent of the others, and there is no way to link one record to another.

Flat files are often used for simple data storage, such as configuration files, small data sets, or data that needs to be easily readable and editable by humans. They are also commonly used for data exchange between systems, as they are a simple and universal format that can be easily imported and exported by most software applications.

However, as data sets grow larger and more complex, flat files can become difficult to manage, and they may not provide the performance or functionality needed for more advanced data processing and analysis. In these cases, more sophisticated database systems, such as relational databases or NoSQL databases, are typically used.