• It is efficient since it does not have the same computing overhead as using a database.
• It is flexible because developers can design and implement file structures and file processing methods specific for the problems.

• It requires the developers to define and implement file structures and file processing methods for each application.
• It is unable to span files over several disks.
• It is difficult and expensive to change the format of files and the specific files that are used by the programs.
• File processing leads to a lack of consistency between files. The classic example is when an employee leaves a company, his name is taken off the payroll system, but his security access is not revoked.
• File processing also results in wasted storage.

• the information is only going to be accessed by a single user,
• speed of data input or searching is vital, or
• the amount of data being stored is relatively small.

a DBMS is, first and foremost, a disk access manager.