I'm attempting to help based on the following assumptions:

1. Your page is written as a CGI in Perl (just guessing by the fact that you're posting on PerlMonks
2. Your flatfile is CSV or some other fairly simple format
3. You're not asking how to design your database

If any of the above are false, let us know, and we'll probably be able to help. In essense, what you should be doing to prepare for when MySQL is available is writing wrappers to encompass the common operations on your data. For your guestbook example, perhaps you'll want to create functions like:

• register_user($fullname, $login, $privlvl)
• add_new_comment($comment_target, $text, $login, $date)
• replace_comment($entryid, $newtext)
• get_login_from_fullname($fullname)
• get_fullname_from_login($login)

Initially, of course, implement them on your flatfile, but start writing (and testing) SQL versions that work with experimental versions of what the tables will be for your guestbook. When the database is available, ideally your SQL versions of the functions will be ready to go, and after you import the existing data into the database, there won't be any bumps. I hope this answers your question.

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