I haven't really read it all properly, ize, but thanks for your ideas and I'll analyze them for sure.

I don't think databases use fixed-sized records, because how would you store strings in such records? Of course, if you want to use short strings, it's not a problem at all. But I don't think any user would be satisfied with a database that allows only 255-chars long strings.

Thanks noeska for the link, I'll take a look at the project of yours.

Another thing I was thinking of is to use the following structure:

Any ideas how to implement something like that? I can't really understand how it's possible to maintain such a structure - and I DO know it's possible as it's what SQLite uses and it does its job really fast...