Some technical information:
XML is great stuff. It is pure text, which makes it
cross-platform-compatible, and a perfect medium for exchanging data between
a potentially great variety of systems. In addition, XML can be a medium for
just about anything you want, from pure text to binary data to processing
code.
That said, XML is not the best medium for everything. To store a number
properly in an XML document, you need a .XSD schema document to specify the
type-mapping of the text data to a specific numeric data type, and an XML
file with a prolog and at least one set of element tags. So, in terms of
storage, you're storing perhaps a 64-bit value in two text documents
comprising upwards of 1KB of space.
Now, a database is designed to store data in an optimal way. It also has a
schema, but that schema applies to the entire database, and all the tables
in it. In the tables themselves, data is stored in binary format. A 64-bit
number occupies 64 bits of storage space. So, obviously, a database is the
best storage device for storing data.
Today we see the marriage of these 2 great technologies, with databases like
SQL Server that can deliver binarily-stored data in "de-compressed" XML
format. So, you can store the data efficiently, and use XML to do with that
data what XML does so well.
Use the right tool for the right job, and you'll go far.
--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
A watched clock never boils.
"Jason Kester" <ja*********@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:11**********************@z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
Sql server will also let you name a table [Index] or even [Select].
Just because the technology allows you to do foolish things doesn't
mean you should make a habit of doing them.
Data normalization is a good thing. You shouldn't be breaking it
unless you have a really good reason. Laziness doesn't qualify as a
good reason!
Jason Kester
Expat Software Consulting Services
http://www.expatsoftware.com/
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