2007-09-04 01:10:44 · 3 answers · asked by harrym 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Programming & Design
A Flat File database is a slightly hybrid text file with minimum query capabilities.
A Relational Database is capable of Keeping the relation between various elements of data.
Like: Say You have an Account. There are various Receipt/Payment against that Account. You cannot delete the account as long as transactions exist. OR you cannot have a transaction without an account at all!
- very simple example, in fact.
There are many techniques of making data retrieval faster, taking care multi location data capture and so on.
There is no comparison between the two.
2007-09-04 01:47:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, both contain data :)
In a flat file system, the program has to search each record to find the data. In a database (presumably a relational database), the record is retrieved via a key.
In a flat file system, records have to first be sequentially scanned in several files before a record can be joined. In a relational database, records can be joined via indexed items.
Relational database records/files are queried with a well known database language, SQL or SQLPlus. SQL can be used with just about any RDBMS, so once you learn it, that knowledge is transferrable.
Help? Hope so!
Good luck!
2007-09-04 08:19:15 · answer #2 · answered by Dennis R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A flat file is really just a fancy name for a spreadsheet that contains your data.
2007-09-04 09:09:11 · answer #3 · answered by DonnieB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋