delimited file database.

They have: 426 posts

Joined: Feb 2005

Can anyone give me information on delimited file databases / flat file databases i think it is also called. Are they much slower than a regular msql database for example. Am i correct in saying that you could copy a whole website that uses a delimited file database and paste onto another host and it should work as normal?

I basically want to migrate my website to another host and it is running a delimited file database, can i simply copy and paste to another host. Its getting the delimited file database to work?

Can you help.

Greg K's picture

He has: 2,145 posts

Joined: Nov 2003

Without seeign the actual setup, I'd say you are pretty safe there, as long as the new hosting company uses the same scripting language you are currently using (PHP, ASP, etc). May also want to compare versions.

The speed issue, that would depend. if you are not updating and needing to grab all the records, then flat file is probably faster. But one you start edit/removing records or if you are only needing to get say 5 of 2000 rows, then a true database would be better. (IMO) A database will most likely do sorting, filtering and other function much faster than your scipt will, so with a database, you are given the results.

(this is also why in general you should have the database do as much processing as possible before getting the results, ie, getting totals, merging data, calculations, etc)

-Greg

JeevesBond's picture

He has: 3,956 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Greg's absolutely right benf, I'm a little confused by exactly what his new host of yours is offering. Most offer a fully fledged RDBMS like MySQL, Postgre etc all of these are a lot faster than flat file for sorting, retrieving and performing aggregate functions.

As said: It's a bit bizarre they're not providing a proper DB solution.

a Padded Cell our articles site!

They have: 426 posts

Joined: Feb 2005

This is the site g-aa.co.uk

I bought the software to run this site and as part of the set up it uses delimited file databases. I want to migrate my website to another host because my current host is american and i would prefere to have it hosted in britain. Plus i would like cpanel on my hosting account simply because i find it easy to manage everything with.

I copyed and pasted files onto a subdomain g-aa.globalimagehost.com to test it out but it is not working.

Any suggestions?

Your previous replys have been very helpful i might add.

Thanks.

Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.