Basic data storage with Python
Question: I need to store basic data of customer's and cars that they bought and payment
schedule of these cars. These data come from GUI, written in Python. I don't
have enough experience to use a database system like sql, so I want to store
my data in a file as plain text. And it doesn't have to be online.

To be able to search and filter them, first I convert my data (lists of lists)
to the string then when I need the data re-convert to the regular Python list
syntax. I know it is a very brute-force way, but is it safe to do like that or
can you advice me to another way?


Answer: It is never safe to save your database in a text format (or using pickle or
whatever). There is a risk that problems while saving the data may cause
corruption. Not to mention risks with your data being stolen.

As your dataset grows there may be a performance hit.

have a look at sqlite (or sqlite3) which is small and easier to manage than
mysql. Unless you have a very small dataset that will fit in a text file.

P/S: btw, using berkeley db in python is simple, and you don't have to learn
all the DB things, just import bsddb

