XML as data storage?

[emblewembl]

Hi all,

I am quite new to XML and have read through a few previous postings regading XML v. Databases. I am after a few opinions from you all! If you were to build a large community website using asp.net would using XML files for the data storage be a good idea or not? Would it be 'wrong' to use them? If so, why? What would be the advantages of using xml files be over using a database? Would performance / security be an issue? How does xml cope with large numbers of users against say an SQL database?

Thanks!

i love chocolate

 

[chiph]

Storing anything more than 100 records in an XML file that you then expect to search & update on is a bad idea -- XPath queries do a linear search, and once you get past a certain size the searches slow waaay down.

Use a database for this. They're designed to hold tens of thousands of records, and have them updated consistently.

Chip H.


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If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[emblewembl]

Thanks chip.

Do other people agree with this opinion?

i love chocolate

 

[sedj]

emblewembl : chiph knows what he is talking about !

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http://www.primrose.org.uk

 

[harebrain]

emblewembl : chiph knows what he is talking about !

So much so that we ought to give him a star. Except that "tens of thousands" is a gross understatement: millions or billions would be more accurate.

And if you'd search the forum, you'd find this question asked and answered many times.

 

[chiph]

So much so that we ought to give him a star.

::blush::

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first