Definitions: A /flat file/ is a plain text file.
A /data base/ could (informally) be a number a things such as: a) a collection with related information (recorded facts) in any kind of format (a telephone book is then in this sense a database, and even meeting notes in your agenda could be regarded as a database.) b) a database Manager System (DBMS), this is just a collection of programs that helps one to create and maintain a database. c) an instance in b). On the other hand a "database system" is a information processing system including both the database (in the meaning of iii) with its related software such as user interfaces, maintenance tools, etc, etc. A DBS usually stores it data in a DBMS evirionment of some kind, but not necessarily, for example a set of php scripts that manipulates flat files can make up a database system, without having DBMS support. A popular database system which utilizes flat files are SRS. It's fairly easy to update files in this system since it includes a DBMS, which uses a languages called Icarus to index and maintain the flatfiles. However, I would guess that most things you can do with php and flat files would be better suited to be developed in a DBMS like MySQL or something, since the MySQL will take care of all the DBMS tasks for you. > -----Original Message----- > From: crizz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 10:43 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [PHP-WIN] flat file databases with PHP > > > So, one more begginers question. I want to ask about "flat file databases". > What exactly is it. It's just projects that store their data on simply > files, or it's a database system (like Mysql). Are there any rules on how to > store and retrieve data from files, so they will be called "flat file > databases"? > > Does anyone know where I can find any reference on the Internet? > > I'm trying to make small site in PHP (for practice) and use simple files, so > I'm wondering if I should first learn about flat file databases and use > them, > > thanks in advance, > krizz > > > > -- > PHP Windows Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) > To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php > -- PHP Windows Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
