The file DBMS is one of the database management systems supported by the platform. Developed by 1C, it is an integral part of the 1C:Enterprise platform.

The file DBMS stores all data in a single file, known as the file database. This data storage format was specifically designed by 1C for 1C:Enterprise applications.

When the platform was being developed, it required an efficient data storage system suitable for a lightweight version of 1C:Enterprise, designed for personal use and small workgroups. The format had to meet several criteria, such as high efficiency, UNICODE support, and the ability to store an entire infobase within a single file. It also needed to operate without requiring additional software installation or administrative setup.

The goal was to make it easy, for example, to move an infobase to a laptop or quickly deploy it on a remote workstation, such as in a warehouse. At the same time, the application should be able to run without modification both in this mode and when using a database server.

After analyzing third-party solutions, 1C decided to develop its own database engine with a proprietary storage format.

Technical Implementation

The file DBMS is a built-in component of the platform. When the system operates in file mode, both the thick and thin clients handle all data operations independently.

In the case of the web client, the connection to the file database is established through a web server. In this scenario, data operations are performed not by the client application but by a web server extension module, which also contains the file DBMS.

Communication between the system components and the file database is carried out using a proprietary data exchange protocol developed by 1C.