Re: What is the logic of storing XML in a Database?

Christopher Browne <cbbrowne_at_acm.org> wrote:

>Clinging to sanity, Bernard Peek <bap_at_alpha.shrdlu.com> mumbled into her beard:
>> On 2007-03-27, JOG <jog_at_cs.nott.ac.uk> wrote:
>>>> On 2007-03-26, Karen Hill <karen_hil..._at_yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I see people putting XML documents in databases. Why do they do this,
>>>> what is the logic behind it? Why not just put the data into tables?
>>>> Why are the standards committees going along with this (XML SQL/
>>>> MED)? Why don't people just use tables to store the data thusly:
>>>
>>> Laziness. Lack of knowledge of data fundamentals. Miseducation. Having
>>> a manager who is a constant victim to the latest marketing fad. Take
>>> your pick.
>>
>> I have to add that XML has its place, but as a blob in a database is not it.
>
>Ah, there is a place even for that.
>
>Suppose you're using XML as a data interchange mechanism.
>
>And suppose your customers are, on occasion, exceeding untrustworthy,
>and whether by incompetence or by intent doesn't matter. They come
>and complain: "We never sent those requests!"
>
>If you have the requests in raw form, kicking around, you can prove
>them wrong.

     Only if you can also successfully argue that you are unable to fake the raw data. I suppose you could start by saying that you do not know XML.

     (Computer data is not usually evidence.)

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

Computerese Irregular Verb Conjugation:

     I have preferences.
     You have biases.
     He/She has prejudices.