What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a text file versus a database for storing and retrieving data in PHP?

When deciding between using a text file or a database for storing and retrieving data in PHP, the main advantage of using a text file is simplicity and ease of use for small amounts of data. However, databases offer better scalability, data organization, and query capabilities. It is recommended to use a database for larger or more complex data sets, while a text file may be sufficient for simple data storage needs.

// Example of storing data in a text file
$data = "Hello, World!";
file_put_contents("data.txt", $data);

// Example of retrieving data from a text file
$data = file_get_contents("data.txt");
echo $data;