How do you search multiple flat file databases?

Badd has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: How do you search multiple flat file databases? by jfroebe (Parson) on Oct 26, 2004 at 13:36 UTC
Hi Badd, I think what you are referring to is a join between two flatfiles. DBD::CSV doesn't provide the mechanism to do this, so you would have to write one yourself. Essentially, get the result set from flatfile#1, store it in a hash, get the result set from flatfile#2, store it in a hash. Compare the two hashes to produce the data set you want. This is where you have to weigh whether to stick with flatfiles or go with a more feature rich dbms. Which to choose depends on many criteria but if the flatfiles will wor for you, then you might as well stick with it else you will have to learn SQL - not altogether bad, but it is something more. ;-) Jason L. Froebe Team Sybase member No one has seen what you have seen, and until that happens, we're all going to think that you're nuts. - Jack O'Neil, Stargate SG-1	[reply]
Re^2: How do you search multiple flat file databases? by Badd (Initiate) on Oct 26, 2004 at 22:16 UTC
Thank You Very much for your speedy response. I appreciate your input. You and this website are great. Thanks again.	[reply]
Re: How do you search multiple flat file databases? by Jasper (Chaplain) on Oct 26, 2004 at 13:38 UTC
Unless I'm interpreting the script incorrectly, and I did recoil in horror fairly quickly, your friend seems to have rolled his own database. Whilst I'm sure he enjoyed the challenge, surely using DBX (or similar), i.e. an already tried and tested interface to a flat file database, is better in every way. I'd rewrite that if I were you, to something much more simple.	[reply]
Re^2: How do you search multiple flat file databases? by Badd (Initiate) on Oct 26, 2004 at 22:19 UTC
Thanks Jasper. You and Jason are a bonus to your community for the speedy responses. Thanks. Any quick solutions?	[reply]
Re: How do you search multiple flat file databases? by Arunbear (Prior) on Oct 27, 2004 at 10:54 UTC
I'm posting the OP's question and script (copied from the above mentioned URL) here for the benefit of anyone reading this thread: If you are reading this, Thank You for your assistance. These scripts were written for me by a friend before he left to work overseas. I have little experience with Perl. Any assistance would be a great help thanks. Please note that each search request can only search one database file at a time. I want to customize to search multiple files at the same time. I currently use the following form to search single dbname files from html template. `<a href="/cgi-bin/search.cgi?template=summary.htm&dbname=dbname&displ +aynew=yes&action=searchdbdisplay"> Display all new records</a>` [download] After attempted customization, i want use the following form (example only) to search multiple files (of the same field definitions/format): `<a href="/cgi-bin/search.cgi?template=summary.htm&dbname=dbname1,dbnam +e2,dbname3& displaynew=yes&action=searchdbdisplay">Display all new records</a>` [download] or `<a href="/cgi-bin/search.cgi?template=summary.htm&dbname=dbname& displaynew=yes&action=searchdbdisplay">Display all new records</a>` [download] In the "Summary Report" template i want to use this link for sending the user to the detail report of the record displayed `<a href="/cgi-bin/search.cgi?template=summary.htm&dbname=dbname&ke +y2=key& action=searchdbdisplay">Detail Report</a>` [download] Can the Perls of Wisdom, assist me in my struggle. I have been trying for 2 months to find a solution. Thanks Again Complete Search Script: Read more... (61 kB)	[reply] [d/l] [select]
Re^2: How do you search multiple flat file databases? by Anonymous Monk on Oct 29, 2004 at 09:26 UTC
Wow, i thank you for the assistance in making my question legable for wise men. Your the best, Thanks	[reply]