Flat file database

[Dennis D.]

I want to construct a simple flat file, non-relational database within my
windows application. It would be a simple table with fields contained in a
separate file which accompanies the distribution. It needs to be searchable.
I don't want to use MS Access or MSDE (SQL Server) in this application for a
few reasons. 1. It does not need to be relational. 2. The search will be
restricted to a single field of data, the results of which will set the
record pointer necessary to get the remaining information in the record. 3.
I want the maximum number of people to be able to use the application.

What are my options?

 

[Rob Nicholson]

What are my options?

Thought about XML? Sounds like a perfect solution. And that can, in effect,
be relational.

Cheers, Rob.

 

[Dennis D.]

Ok. XML it is.
Thanks Rob.

D.

Thought about XML? Sounds like a perfect solution. And that can, in
effect, be relational.

Cheers, Rob.

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Dennis,

You have almost no options when you say "more users have to use that", if
those all are allowed to do even one update. That would mean that you would
have to create a service to handle that file. Only a fool will do that when
he can use a free Access and free MSDE (when I only take the Microsoft
ones).

When it is only reading than your option is the XML dataset, which can gives
you the relations, however there is no need that you use that.

I hope this helps,

Cor

 

[Dennis D.]

Hello Cor:
I was looking for something simple not unlike a comma delimited text file
that can be searched and edited, and XML will produce a simple solution.

Installing IIS and MSDE raises the level of security requirements, and I
didn't want to produce a distribution where the home user must set up a
server environment. The issue with Access for me is that most people don't
own it. I will look for the free Jet runtime distribution before proceeding
with the database coding. Thanks for reminding me.

Thanks Cor,
D.