ATing system, storage> A single file containing {flAT ASCII} representing or encoding some structure, e.g. of a dATabase, tree, or network. FlAT files can be processed with general purpose tools (e.g. awk or Perl) and {text editors} but are often less efficient than some kind of binary file if they must be parsed repeATedly by a program. FlAT files are more portable between different operATing systems and applicATion programs than binary files, and are more easily transmitted in electronic mail. See also flATten, sharchive. [Jargon File] (1996-01-26)