xml-dev - FW: XML database

[Eckenberger Axel <Extern.Eckenberger@kmweg.de>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Evan Lenz [mailto:elenz@xyzfind.com]
> Sent: Monday, October 09, 2000 7:00 PM
> To: xml-dev@lists.xml.org
> Subject: RE: XML database
> 
> 
> [similar post recently submitted to XML-L]
> 
> This is largely a "religious" issue.  Database die-hards vs. 
> XML die-hards.
> Some of the arguments for one over the other don't really 
> stand up against
> each other; they come down to personal preference or what 
> one's familiar
> with.

I cnannot agree with this "religious" issue you are referring 
to, as for me a technology is a tool to solve a specific 
problem. The characteristics of the problem and the 
advantages/disadvantages of a specific technology will define 
there usability for the solution. Obviously this is not a 
clearcut process and in the case of several technologies 
being equally qualified, I agree with you that the coice is 
down to preference.

IMHO there is no case to choose between RDBMS and XML as both 
have distinct properties (for storing data that is) and these 
properties, except in borderline cases, literally force you 
to use one technology or the other.

But XML (and the related standards) has a much broader 
application profile that just holding data. XML, because of 
it's flexibility, can act as a bridge between technologies 
that are otherwise difficult to integrate (different DB 
structures, COM --> SOAP --> CORBA, OO --> legacy apps, and 
countless others) and therefore IMHO it can be the glue that 
integrates existing application + data islands and create an 
abstract 'knowledge base' that holds the complete knowledge 
of mankind (now we talking about a 'religious' vision :-).

Just my 5 Pfennig worth
 
Axel

-- 
Axel Eckenberger, BSc
Software Project Mangager
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG

Tel:         +49 (89) 8140-4408

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