"Ian Espie" <ianespie@mweb.co.za> wrote in message 
news:5985beb2@pnews.thedbcommunity.com...
> Jim
>
> Thank you, but I am lost.  I need to import an XML into a Pdox table.  I 
> do not understand why data from any source is exported to XML - what is 
> the advantage of this?  Pity Pdox cant deal with  this.
>

Without getting too complicated here and if we limit our thinking to data 
only:

XML files can be used to transfer Multi-dimensional data, whereas csv/excel 
files only cater for two dimensions (Rows and Columns). You probably do not 
realise that XML files can be used to transfer binary data as well as string 
data.

XML files can also describe the meaning of the data, giving it context.

For example, a single XML file can be used to transfer all data within a 
multi-table paradox database (including Blobs) and also provide the 1:many 
relational structure and key/index information, if desired. This cannot be 
done in a csv file.


The reason why Paradox can't deal with it is:

1. Paradox is old

2. Even if Paradox was updated to provide a generic XML reader interface, 
the flexibility of XML files themselves means that specific knowledge of the 
mark-up in the XML file needs to be known ahead of time so that the reader 
interface is used correctly.

Sorry to tell you but at some point you actually need to do some coding to 
get things done. AI ain't here quite yet.
Leslie.