Why may some developers prefer flat files over relational databases?

Some developers may prefer flat files over relational databases because flat files offer faster access for certain applications. This is particularly true in scenarios where the dataset is small and the overhead of database management systems (DBMS) is not justified.

In applications that need quick read and write operations without complex queries or when data is accessed sequentially, flat files can provide a significant performance advantage. They eliminate the overhead associated with establishing connections, running queries, and retrieving data from a structured database environment.

Additionally, flat files can be simpler to work with in specific scenarios, such as logging or when integrating with systems that do not require complex data relationships. This simplicity can lead to faster access and lower latency for straightforward operations, making them an attractive choice in these contexts.