Flat Data
Flat data refers to data stored in a simple, non-hierarchical format, typically in plain text files like CSV, JSON, or XML, without complex relationships or nested structures. It is often used for straightforward data exchange, analysis, and storage where relational databases are unnecessary. This approach emphasizes simplicity, portability, and ease of human readability.
Developers should use flat data when working with small to medium datasets, prototyping, or in environments where simplicity and low overhead are priorities, such as data science scripts, configuration files, or API responses. It is ideal for scenarios requiring quick data manipulation, interoperability between different tools, or when database setup and maintenance would be overkill for the task at hand.