Arrays instead of Sql

[Tom Cole]

I've heard that instead of using a backend like sql to manage a  
database, I could stay in Revolution and use arrays. I know nothing of  
arrays.

I've written here before about a bird database I have. Several times.  
Forgive.

I just have a few items in a record:  
birdname,birdnotes,place,placenotes,date  However, there are about  
18000 birds (records) and I've got them all in one field in Rev now  
and it's too slow to sort.

If I have to learn sql and so on, this may never get done, but if I  
stay in my familiar Rev environment I will be off and running. Is  
there a sample database stack where someone has used arrays to store  
the data for fast retrieval or some related script to help me learn  
how arrays could be used?

How can I place those records in arrays and then draw data to make  
cool sorts and views?  I'm not new at all to Rev; only to arrays.

I just need ideas on how to sort the data fast.

Thanks (again!)
Tom in Arizona