Flat file database

[Paul Rubin]

"Art Decco" <please.dont at email.com> writes:
> I realize that's a bit vague, but I'm just wondering about the best approach
> for creating a little database-backed CGI app using Python on a server with
> no real database available. The server belongs to the ISP, and I don't get
> to install "real" software, but they do have a cgi-bin directory for me, and
> they do have a relatively recent Python, so I've got Python cgi apps working
> via "#!/usr/local/bin/python". I can get the apps to write and read plain
> text files right in the cgi-bin directory, too, so I can use that as a
> simple, flat file database.

Most web hosts offer you access to a database, typically MySQL.  Use
that if you can.  Implementing what you're asking is harder than it
sounds.  What happens if two people connect to your application both
try to update the database at the same time?