Question

Difference between relational and flat file database

Answer 1

Explanation:

Difference Between Flat File & Relational Database. A flat file database stores data in a single table structure. A relational database uses multiple table structures, cross-referencing records between tables. Tables in both organize records in rows, with each column containing a single piece of data in the record.

Answer 2

Answer:

Flat File” databases consist of formats including single or multiple record types, and come in flavors of fixed-length definitions and delimited. The simplest form of flat file is a standard text file and consists of a single record definition. The record or “row” (as commonly referred to) repeats from one to many times, with each successive row representing a common definition. Every row is made up of a horizontal list of fields and the same definition of the row can be applied to every row in the file.

“Relational” databases take on the challenge of storing data of differing definitions or formats separately in what are referred to most often as “tables.” Each table will consist of two groups of columns identified as key values and stored values. The key values make it possible to relate records in one table to another in a parent-child relationship or dependency.

Flat file databases are typically independent of each other or self-contained, and require no outside architecture to define or store the data for later interpretation. They can easily be edited and printed directly without interpretation beyond the file specification (layout). Relational databases will, however, require a structuring “container” often referred to as a database “server” which stores and interprets the “metadata” defining the content.