What type of database contains records that have no structured interrelationship?

A flat-file database is characterized by its simplicity, consisting of a single table or a collection of records stored in a single file without any inherent relationships among them. Each record is treated independently, making it easy to manage basic data without the complexity that comes with structured relationships found in other database types.

In this model, data is typically stored in a plain text file, CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file, or similar format, where records are delimited in some way but do not rely on related tables or linkages to other records. This makes it particularly suitable for small datasets or simple applications where complex querying or data integrity through relational principles is not required.

When compared to relational databases, which are designed around the use of structured tables and defined relationships between those tables, or NoSQL databases, which may store unstructured data but still support some form of relationships among records, a flat-file database stands apart due to its lack of interconnectedness. Object-oriented databases also incorporate relationships but do so through object-oriented principles which are absent in the flat-file model. Thus, the choice of a flat-file database reflects its defining characteristic of having records without structured interrelationship.