How do I create a datafile with fast access?

[BlueBeep]

I would like to create an address book application and need a way to store information other than through a database/odbc. I've seen programs that store all their information in a single file. It usually is in a non-readable format and not something like XML. My question is, how do I create a data file like this? I would like to use C#. Also, is there some API in .NET that will let me do this? If not in .NET, is there anywhere else where I could get this? If not, how do I create it? Thanks!

 

[DaZZleD]

I would advise you to use XML and the encrypt it. This is because .NET offers alot of support for XML documents (reading, writing, manipulating).

Then again you can use whatever format you would like (comma separated file, tab separated file, ...etc) but this would mean that you need to implement your own read/write methods as well as sorting and searching, while you would still need encryption.