Difference between flat file and database file?

Answer 1

A flat file is a series of records all of one level of structure, there can be different record types and lengths and some can be related to others. A serial file is a common form of flat file. A database file is normally structured and can have different levels in a tree structure with mutiple occurrences of the same or different record types at a specific level. This type of file is more complex to create, update and maintain and a form of direct or indirect index is required.