Flat file

From Freepedia

The term flat file can refer to a flat-file database, or to a simple type of file system for computers.

In a flat file system there are no directories — everything is stored at the same (root) level on the media, be it a hard disk, floppy disk, etc. While simple, this system rapidly becomes inefficient as the number of files grows, and makes it difficult for users to organise data into related groups.

Like many small systems before it, the original Apple Macintosh featured a flat file system, called Macintosh File System. Its version of Mac OS was unusual in that the file management software (Macintosh Finder) created the illusion of a partially hierarchical filing system on top of MFS. MFS was quickly replaced with Hierarchical File System, which supported real directories.

Flat file can refer also to web-based software that does not use a database to store its data; rather it relies on writing data into text files.

Furthermore, flat file also refers to a form of library collection consisting of flat files of information on particular topics. Typically, newspaper clippings and other similar information are stored in flat files organized by subject.