Using Sharepoint DB and Joins

[JimBassett]

We have a project where we had designed data to be placed into SQL 2000 and then access the data for user interaction using SharePoint as a collibration tool. During lunch with someone who is familiar with SharePoint development we discuss this project. The person suggested instead of using our own SQL 2000 DB just use SharePoint's DB and tools to organize the data as lists. We didn't go into detail and the guy we were having lunch with is in another state and not easy to connect up with.

My question is how would one make use of the SQL DB that SharePoint is using to do such operatiopns as Joins, etc. Our designed DB does have tables so does each list represetn a table? Did this guy feed us nonsense?

Thanks