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)
