[XML-DEV Mailing List Archive Home] [By Thread] [By Date] [Recent Entries] [Reply To This Message] RE: XML and the Relational Model (was Re: A standa
> I'd propose that an XPath statement in general can be considered the XML > equivalent to a view... I'd propose that an XML document can be considered equivalent to a domain-optimized storage format for a relational front-end, provided that said document is information rich enough to fully support relational operations. Manipulating the XML by other (non-relational) means is equivalent to taking shortcuts, with risks of violating data integrity. Shoot, if I want to change a value in a Java properties file, I may just whip open Notepad.exe and edit it. The proper, integrity-checked way to do it is to write a little program that opens the property file, reads the properties into a Property class, call the setProperty() method with the appropriate parameters, and check for any exceptions. Then serialize it back out again. That's more formal and correct, and just plain silly. It's also just plain silly for relational purists to proclaim "NO! You can't touch the storage model! You go through the database front-end!". Of course, we never do that with database backends because the storage format convoluted that we wouldn't dare try to poke bits into it ourselves. But that's not the way XML is. To embellish Tom Passin's rant: How about a formal description of the characteristics required for an XML document to fully support relational operations at the front end? Murali's and others' work on XML normalization is getting us closer to that end. Will we all then start writing XML documents that conform to characteristics outlined above? Hell no! Not many of us, anyway. Careful shortcuts are a perfectly valid pragma, with plenty of empirical support. It's the sloppy shortcuts that cause us problems. XML allows for both. Choose wisely.
|
PURCHASE STYLUS STUDIO ONLINE TODAY!Purchasing Stylus Studio from our online shop is Easy, Secure and Value Priced! Download The World's Best XML IDE!Accelerate XML development with our award-winning XML IDE - Download a free trial today! Subscribe in XML format
|