I am definitely no expert, but I really do not understand why you wouldn't use a database such as MySql. You will probably execute a nice mix of inserts / searches / updates / deletes. Why implement such a thing yourself, while there are efficient and bug free off-the-shelve systems available? Sounds like re-inventing the wheel. Are you perhaps afraid of learning SQL?
Of course, ignore this if you just want to have a good time hacking away.