CR-10 : XML data stored in an ORACLE Memo field...?

[MJRBIM]

We have an ORACLE db that we are reporting against in CR-10 using the ORACLE-native connection.

One of our application developers is considering populating an existing MEMO field with XML formatted information rather than adding additional fields to the ORACLE db structure.

I don't think this will work for reporting purposes, because CR-10 will just see that MEMO field as a single field - and won't be able to recognize the XML as a separate "chunks" of information.

I know that CR-10 can report against XML documents, but can it "recognize" XML stored within a database field?

TIA for the feedback.

 

[chelseatech]

You should ask why your DB designer is trying to break your database by storing this extra data in XML rather than as addtional fields in the table.

If you really want to do this, you might want to develop a User Function Library to process the XML inside the tag. As long as it has a simple structure, it should work okay.

I found the 256 char limit still exists inside a UFL in CR9 and 10, so that might be a show stopper with this approach.

You could always analyse and extract the tags and values using your own CR formulas.

Editor and Publisher of Crystal Clear

http://www.chelseatech.co.nz/pubs.htm

 

[MJRBIM]

Thanks for the UFL suggestion - it's not "our" database, it's a 3rd party product that we own and are trying to add more detailed data into without having to pay the vendor for custom add-ons.

Not my product, not my IT team - but (of course) we're supposed to be able to report from it at some point in the future.

At least this time they asked if it would work for reporting BEFORE they went ahead and made the changes.

Thanks for the suggestion...