Like saying goes about opinions,.everybody has one. I merely stated my opinion about the XML:DB API after the trying to implement Core Level 1 Conformance over eXcelon's DXE[0] . My last manager told me I was opinionated, over time you'll realize this too and not feel that I am trying to _dictate_ my will.
Anyway I disagree that the return types from an XPath query should implement the Resource interface since it is a BIG assumption that the average NXD will know how to persist any return type from a query. APIs like XML:DB, JDBC, ODBC, etc are meant to be lowest common denominator, your suggestion is the duirect opposite of that and is instead a highest common denominator API (just like CORBA) and we know how those turn out. [0] I don't work for them I'm doing it for fun. -- THINGS TO DO IF I BECOME AN EVIL OVERLORD #59 I will never build a sentient computer smarter than I am. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jonathan Borden" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 8:33 PM Subject: Re: Problems With Implementing XMLDB API > Dare Obasanjo wrote: > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Jonathan Borden" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 3:05 PM > > Subject: Re: Problems With Implementing XMLDB API > > > > > > > > > Err, so "addResource" on a BinaryResource is OK _from an interface point > of > > > view_ when "addResource" on an integer doesn't make sense? Do you really > > > mean this? > > > > Considering that a number of native XML databases store BLOBS including > Tamino > > and eXcelon as well as the fact that a few XML-enabled databases support > > storing XML as blobs such as DB2 (XMLCLOB type) and Oracle (in regular > CLOBs) > > I don't see why it should be unreasonable to expect an API that expects to > be > > used by XML databases not to support storing binary resources. > > > > On the other hand expecting the database to expect to know how to manage > > floating point numbers and booleans is ludicrous in my opinion. > > You are always entitled to your opinion. I can understand the sentiment of > not wanting to mix XML and primitive datatypes other than 'string', but this > is not the way of the world. The XPath 1.0 model already deals with strings, > boolean values and numbers. > > Moreover, the strong message we are getting from the database community is > in fact that there are many people who do desire 'XML' databases to handle > boolean values, numbers and dates. > > This project, XML:DB aims to be a standard API for XML databases. Surely we > want to handle the needs of people who are designing and using XML > databases. I mean, if the API is not able to serve as an acceptable > mechanism for executing an XQuery or an XPath 2.0, what is the point? > > Just because we support XPath 1.0, does not mean that we have ever intended > to _limit_ ourselves to XPath 1.0. > > > > > > A collection/list/set of integers is a _perfectly_ reasonable and well > > > understood entity. > > > > Not for storing in a XML database. > > Again, you are entitled to your opionion. I suggest, rather than dictate > what you personally think ought to be in an XML database, rather, read what > others intend: > > http://www.w3.org/TR/query-datamodel/#sequences > > "... Note: Sequences replace node-sets from XPath 1.0..." > > You may find this ludicrous, but I believe the job of XML:DB is not to > dictate to the XML community what an XML database ought to contain, rather > to serve the needs of this community. > > [snip] > > > > Because those are *validation* problems as opposed to *type* problems. > > Validation and type are _closely_ related concepts. Hence the term: DTD > Document _Type_ Definition, what is used for classical XML validation. > > Jonathan > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Contact administrator: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Read archived messages: http://archive.xmldb.org/ > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Contact administrator: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Read archived messages: http://archive.xmldb.org/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------
