Large data item block

[StellaIndigo]

I have a requirement where one data item will contain 1024 integer data types as one block of data, effectively an array of ints. There are 2 or more of these arrays in a document, so it's going to have 2 x 1024 integers.(These are scientific measurement values.)

What is the best way to structure the data in XML?

Like this
<Readings>
<DataBlock>
<Item>1234</Item> <!-- first item -->
<Item>7272</Item>
<Item>9293</Item>
..
<Item>7273</Item> <!-- 1024th item -->
</DataBlock>
<DataBlock>
<Item>1234</Item> <!-- first item -->
<Item>7272</Item>
<Item>9293</Item>
..
<Item>7273</Item> <!-- 1024th item -->
</DataBlock>
</Readings>

Or

<Readings>
<DataBlock>
<Items>1234;7837;9287;8267;2827;7983;8252;8373</Items>
..
<Items>1234;7837;9287;8267;2827;7983;8252;8373</Items>
</DataBlock>
<DataBlock>
<Items>1234;7837;9287;8267;2827;7983;8252;8373</Items>
..
<Items>1234;7837;9287;8267;2827;7983;8252;8373</Items>
</DataBlock>
</Readings>

Or is there a different way?

Thanks

Stella

 

[flumpy]

Definately method 2 would be better from a readability/scalability point of view.

What it really comes down to is which is better for you and extensibility is what you should be asking. Imagine u had to come back to the file in 2 years time and update it and you'll soon make up your mind


hope that helps.


matt