Best way to get data into an XML format???

[randall2nd]

The short of it:
I need to take data from an Oracle 8i database and create an XML document on a Unix OS.
What is the best way (apps, language, process, etc...) to do this?

The long of it:
There is a debate about what the best way to get data from the Oracle 8.1.74 database into an XML format. Currently the process is prototyped using Pro C, C++, Xerces for C, but there is a suggestion to load the java libraries and Xerces for java into Oracle and use instead. The belief is that by keeping the processing IN Oracle it will be faster than passing the data IN and OUT of Oracle.

I have the scheme for the XML. Is there a way to utilize this in either Java or C++/Pro C?

I have to query about 8 diffrent tables to get all the data required. Once queried there is little or no computations/proccessing on the data, just "plug 'n play" so to speak.

For the inital release we are FORCED to use 8.1.74, no if ands or butts. However we are keeping in mind that we will be wanting to transition to Oracle 10g in the near future. So the solution is desired to take advantage of that move with minimal effort.

Need more info?
Has anyone done this type of thing before?
Any Ideas on whether it will be faster in Java than C++/Pro C?
Is there a faster way to do it?
Does whether the finished document is stored on the file system or in the database make a difference?


I am new to a lot of this, so please break out the crayons and do not hold back.

Randall2nd
Ignorance does not equal stupidity, do not treat it as such.

 

[sem]

I preffer to use Oracle as a extremly efficient database, not as application server. Yes, it allows to run Java or call external C procedures, contains a number of pl/sql wrapper tilities e.g. XMLGEN, DBMS_XMLQUERY, but:

1. Scaling issues: you'll have to buy more Oracle licenses instead of just purchasing more hardware to run your application.
2. Migration issues: to move to another BD (don't do it ) you'll need to rebuild your application from scratch.
3. Network issues: binary data in most cases is more compact then data+metadata

Thus my advice is to stay with Pro C and Xerces. This is sufficiently portable and very efficient solution.

Regards, Dima

http://seminihin.narod.ru

 

[DBAwhosaysNIE]

or you could take it a step further by using perl and have real DB independance.

 

[randall2nd]

Thank you for your insight.

I do not need DB independance, and do not need to worry about non-Oracle DBs. The DB will be Oracle(8i for now, 10g in the undetermined future).

Oracle Licenses are not an issue either. I am pretty sure we have ALL of them.

I agree about the DB vs application server, but that choice has already been made. It will be happening. They are using Oracle forms, doing some Java server apps, and using Oracle's LDAP stuff.

Once again thank you for your insight, please continue to post with any other information/opinions/arguements you can think of. I am all ears

Randall2nd
Ignorance does not equal stupidity, do not treat it as such.