Note: We are always curious about the feasibility of a new trend and this article is nothing but a thought experiment. We neither endorse nor refuse to speak about Flat File CMS or any other developers tool that might pop up in the future. We are simply speculating its usability. Managing Data in the web development process is always a bone of contention. While the developers work hard to make sure that the code is as simple as possible while maintaining all the functionality required, how to manage the documents and pages within a database is somewhat tedious.
Last week, we talked a little about Knowledge Base Management. You can read that article here. During the research for that, we got interested in a new trend that has been growing amongst the developers.

Introduction

Flat File CMS has grown in popularity due to the relatively light weight, simpler content management system as opposed to the feature laden Wordpress database and the likes. Developers have been adapting to several interesting Flat File CMS systems such as Jekyll, Ghost, Kirby and Statamic over the last few months. The Flat File CMS. A Content management system that  eschews conventional database directory structures in the favor of creating fluid files and folders system that segregate your pages and provides dynamic page marked up with the ability to highlight which development tool or code is functional/used on which page. For example, clicking on font file allows you to see the pages where the clicked font is used.
Naturally we intrigued in order to find out more about this new content management system. So, in order to better understand, we decided to do a pro vs con analysis for the clarity. Shall we begin? So far so good?
All right.

The Benefits that are discussed of the Flat File CMS

Speed: Since the files are being saved in relatively simpler formats and the  folders are segregated in a fashion that  we are more familiar with, Flat File CMS offers faster speeds in order to access the pages. For example, the blog articles, such as this one, would be saved as a text file.

Security: Conventional Databases are uniquely conspicuous once the back end curtains are peeled off. Flat File CMS is  not a conventional database and doesn't behave or seem like one either. The inconspicuousness is relatively safer.

Simplicity: Contrary to a conventional database, Flat File offers a very minimalist interface where "installation" is nothing more than adding the file once complete. Contrary to a conventional database, Flat File offers a very minimalist interface where "installation" is nothing more than adding the file once complete.

Stability: Flat File CMS runs economically on a server without the bulky requirement of hosting which allows it is to remain stable and crash-free as much as possible.

Version-Control: When you have a Flat File CMS, your database is not exactly convoluted into hundreds of correlations. You can simply pick and change any file in particular that you want to change.

Portability: Want to move a site to a new server? No need to configure an entirely new Database. You can  easily move the entire site off to a new server much faster.  

Now the dark side.

The Cons of Flat File Content Management System

Under-reached and Closeted: A popular argument against the Flat File CMS is that it is majorly of use for the designers and developers rather than aimed to the end-user. The User is largely indifferent to whether a database is Wordpress or MySQL, all he needs is a fast website which serves his purpose.
Additionally, a lot of skeptics wonder about the capabilities of Flat File CMS systems and whether they are capable of creating great or even mediocre dynamic sites apart from the currently convenient static webpages.

Verdict: Too Soon To Tell.

• Flat File CMS still is a nebulous technology when it comes to executing and building dynamic pages.
• Static Web Pages, even the well made ones, only speak to a  limited number of audience.
• So far, Traditional Databases have been heavy with features but there are great practices to streamline and clip some of that weight and increase speed.

Whether Flat File CMS will ever catch up to the mainstream and replace conventional CMS databases or not, that's something we've to wait and see when the time comes. For now, it sure remains an intriguing tool.

Source: We'd like to thank Jeremiah Shoaf for providing the pros of Flat File through his own use of the tool. And Steve Burge for providing the other side of the argument through his article here.

Vinfotech, a web development firm, stays abreast of the popular trends and changes of the web development industry, making us one of the pioneers in Startup Web Development as well Website Design SolutionsContact Us for your web requirements.