Basic data storage with Python
I need to store basic data of customer's and cars that they bought and payment schedule of these cars. These data come from GUI, written in Python. I don't have enough experience to use a database system like sql, so I want to store my data in a file as plain text. And it doesn't have to be online.
To be able to search and filter them, first I convert my data (lists of lists) to the string then when I need the data re-convert to the regular Python list syntax. I know it is a very brute-force way, but is it safe to do like that or can you advice me to another way?
Answer
It is never safe to save your database in a text format (or using pickle or whatever). There is a risk that problems while saving the data may cause corruption. Not to mention risks with your data being stolen.
As your dataset grows there may be a performance hit.
have a look at sqlite (or sqlite3) which is small and easier to manage than mysql. Unless you have a very small dataset that will fit in a text file.
P/S: btw, using berkeley db in python is simple, and you don't have to learn all the DB things, just import bsddb