Most developers tend to overuse databases. SQL is powerful, but not always necessary -- and often, it just adds complexity where a simple flat file would be faster and more reliable. Flat files can be a pragmatic alternative for logging and lightweight storage.
Even the very page you are reading comes from a flat file. The Dvut CMS does store pages and data in a database, but for production it generates one flat file per page. This boosts performance and avoids unnecessary database load. It is a good example of when flat files outperform SQL.
My Approach
- Pragmatic alternatives -- Use flat files where a database would be overkill.
- Flexible formats -- Logs don’t have to be one-record-per-line. Flat files can use JSON, CSV, JSONL, or custom structures.
- Optimized for use case -- Some systems are optimized for writing (error/traffic logging), others for reading (like Dvut pages).
- Rotation and archival -- Prevent runaway growth with log file rotation, plus compression or cleanup rules.
- Security in mind -- Avoid log injection by sanitizing entries, escaping delimiters, and controlling formatting.
- Clean, maintainable architecture -- Code is built around clear interfaces and dependency injection. Features like file formats, rotation rules, or batching strategies can be swapped or extended without breaking existing systems. Easy to maintain for developers who inherit the codebase.
Example Use Cases
- Error logging with lightweight structured files.
- Traffic logging without burdening the database.
- Session management.
- Flat-file caching layers for high-performance reads.
- Storing structured data (like CMS pages) as pre-rendered flat files for fast delivery.
- Hybrid setups: fast flat-file writes with periodic import into SQL for querying.
What I Offer
Consulting and Setup
I can help you decide when flat files make sense in your application. From choosing formats and rotation rules to wiring the system into your PHP-based stack, I provide practical solutions.
Custom Development
Need more than basic logging? I can:
- Build custom flat-file loggers (JSON, JSONL, CSV, or custom formats).
- Add rotation, batching, or compression logic.
- Write secure input filters to prevent injection attacks.
- Develop parsers and analysis tools for your logs.
- Design storage systems that balance fast writes with efficient reads.
- Ensure clean interfaces and modular architecture for long-term maintainability.
Migration and Conversion
I can create tools to:
- Export database logs into flat files.
- Import flat logs back into SQL or analytics tools.
- Convert from one flat-file format to another.
Why Work With Me?
- Focused stack -- 15+ years of PHP experience and following best practices.
- Production use -- Flat-file loggers and storage systems power real-world apps, including this site.
- Lightweight mindset -- Only use SQL when it’s really needed; otherwise keep it simple and fast.
- Maintainable design -- Clean architecture, dependency-injected components, and well-defined interfaces make the codebase easy to extend and maintain.
Get in Touch
If you would like to discuss a flat-file logging or storage setup, contact me.