what is a flat file

A flat file is a type of database that stores data in a plain text format. It is a simple two-dimensional repository of like data, arranged in rows or records across columns or fields. Each row contains the same type of information as the other rows in the flat file, and that information is defined by the columns which describe the type of data and sets a limit on the number of characters allowed to represent the field information. Flat files are often used for importing and exporting data because they are a simple and flexible way to transfer data between different software applications or systems. They are widely supported by many software applications and can be easily read and processed by a variety of programming languages and tools. Flat files are also easy to create and edit using a simple text editor, which means that users can quickly generate new files or modify existing ones as needed. However, flat files provide limited support for data integrity and consistency, as they lack mechanisms to enforce constraints, relationships, or validation rules, which can result in data inconsistencies.