[AccessD] XML

And I wasn't talking about storing a whole database in it.  However, for
transferring data, storing things like individual settings, etc., it is
quick, easy and efficient.  It is CERTAINLY as efficient as delimited
text for such things since the adapters are already built into .net, so
there's no need to create them one off for each effort.  You don't have
to read the xml into a particular structure because the structure is
built in.  And we store SQL in xml files where it can be quickly
retrieved by our data tier but is compiled into the dll putting it
beyond the reach of exploring users.

Charlotte Foust 

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of jwcolby
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 6:06 AM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: Re: [AccessD] XML

I have to say I agree with Stuart on this one.  XML is about as
inefficient as you can get for storing data.

We as database designers strive to select the smallest possible datatype
to hold whatever data we are storing in the data store.  Now you export
a long integer to XML and it turns into hundreds of bytes.  And all so
it can be man readable?  When was the last time you actually read an XML
document?  What percentage of all XML documents do you (or any human)
ever actually read (in XML format)?

It is almost as if the hard disk consortium got together in a secret
room deep in a mountain in Russia, surrounded by KGB security specially
hired to keep their meeting private... and designed a "storage system"
to help them stimulate sales.

"Hard drives have gotten so big that people are only buying one.  Let's
design this system called XML that will take anything and store it in
layers of wrappers that will expand the original size by 1000.  We will
sell many more disks now..."

"Now let's leak it's existence to MS and tell them that it has already
become the next storage standard..."

"Ahh... our plan worked, MS is now storing the world in XML."

Disk drive manufacturer stock prices skyrocket, approaching the share
price of Berkshire Hathaway..

High fives around...

John W. Colby
www.ColbyConsulting.com