title: Flat File Database Example
body: <p>I would like to see some examples of simple flat file databases and how they are accessed through a data layer. I've written to and read from a flat file before, but I have not ever created a data layer that accessed the data for an application using text files.</p>
  
  <p>If possible, it would be nice to see a tutorial that had a data layer that utilized a simple, custom flat file database. An example that saves custom business objects in XML and then uploads them would be nice because XML is so popular and easy to work with.</p>
  
  <p>I would also be grateful for any links to websites that discuss best practices regarding the design of flat file databases, etc.</p>
  
  <p>My goal is to have a solution for storing simple data on a user's machine and have them not need any special software installed (like SQL Server, etc.) in order to fetch the data from where it is stored.</p>
  
  <p>I know this is a very general question, but any advice that can point me in the right direction is welcome.</p>