REPOST:Access 2007&XML: import, change, write back to XML?

[Ed from AZ]

We have a report generating program that writes everything into an
XML
file. I'm vaguely familiar with XML - I know it consists of open and
close tags with information in between. Each screen of the report
program generates its own set of tags. There doesn't seem to be an
identifiable schema attached to these files. (And while I think I
understand that the "schema" is in part how the tags are applied, I
obviously don't understand very much!)

Often, we need to merge items between reports, or cut out certain
items and make them a separate report. I've played with various ways
of doing this using the XML file, vice pulling up the report inside
the program and going through screen by screen, line by line, and
editing. I managed to get a macro in Word by opening the file as
text, but it's clumsy. Excel imports the whole thing into a huge
spreadsheet that's hard to make sense of. Access, though, imports
the
report XML and separates each section into its own table. That would
seem to be wonderful for moving only certain records from one report
into another.

The wall I run into is how to write it back out into an XML file with
the appropriate tags? Does Access store these tags in the table
somewhere, and new information will inherit them? Since there
doesn't
seem to be a recognizable schema connected with these files, can
Access create one based on the imported document?

Obviously there are huge gaps in my knowledge here. Can someone
point
me in a good direction to learn more about this?

Ed

 

[aaron.kempf]

SQL Server supports XML.

I use FOR XML clause a lot to shape data into XML and vice versa

Jet just doesn't have the tools to do this-- it doesn't support the
XML datatype like SQL Server does

 

[Fred]

Aaron's answer to every Access question is to not use Access and I think that
such made him skip giving any meaningful response.

XML is a language that is so versatile that saying "XML" says nothing
specific about what you are trying to do.

Access is a database program. A report is a document. Stripping away the
haze of the language (XML) jargon, you haven't really told us specifically
what you are trying to do. Some possibilities are:


- It almost sounds like you just want to edit a document.....that's not what
database programs do.

- Possibly the report contains data with sufficient organizaiton and
structure to be structured data of the type that you might want to import
into and utilize in Access?

- Create output from Access in a perticular language or format?

- Or ?

 

[Ed from AZ]

Hi, Aaron. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice in this matter. I
only have what I have, and I'm not allowed to deviate. In fact, what
I'm trying to do here is technically outside the scope of my
responsibilities, but I'm tired of doing things by hand when I have a
computer that should manage it!

I ask about Access only because it separated the components into
separate tables, which would make things easier to work with. In
Word, I have to read tags and set ranges and so forth; in Excel, I
have to find where my desired info wound up in a huge spreadsheet. We
have occasions to move large numbers of records back and forth between
reports, and need a better way to do it.

I'm sure there's tools out there just for this kind of task, but they
are out of my reach. So I just need some more info on how to work
with what I've got. Any pointers in that direction are greatly
appreciated.

Ed

 

[aaron.kempf]

you do have a choice.

SQL Server is an optional component on the office disk (starting with
office Xp) and anyone that won't give you an office disk is beyond
help.

question your premise(s)-- SQL Server is _EASIER_ development
it is cheaper, faster, more stable

and it's free.

now _WHY_ can you _NOT_ use the worlds most popular database?

Jet just plain DOES NOT SUPPORT xml like SQL Server does

 

[aaron.kempf]

Access Data Projects allow you to use your existing forms and
reports-- in whichever way you want--but they free you from the dead
weight of Jet
Access Data Projects allow you to use your existing forms and
reports-- in whichever way you want--but they free you from the dead
weight of Jet
Access Data Projects allow you to use your existing forms and
reports-- in whichever way you want--but they free you from the dead
weight of Jet
Access Data Projects allow you to use your existing forms and
reports-- in whichever way you want--but they free you from the dead
weight of Jet

 

[Ed from AZ]

now _WHY_ can you _NOT_ use the worlds most popular database?

Because I need to use this at work and I am not allowed to change
anything on my computer, nor venture outside my prescribed
parameters. I'm not really even supposed to be exploring this -
although if I come up with something that works they'll pat me on the
head and let me keep it.

and anyone that won't give you an office disk is beyond
help.

Well, I enjoy the paycheck, so I guess I'll play by the rules -
generally speaking. So even if something else is better, I only have
what I have. Sorry.

Ed

 

[a a r o n _ k e m p f]

so.. uh.. you don't have permissions download at www.microsoft.com/sql
?
is that what you're saying?

are you really really that scared of a real database?

that's what it is.. you're too scared to learn a real database, huh?

 

[a a r o n _ k e m p f]

wow, it really sounds to me like you're jumping through a lot of
hoops.. to get to functionality that is built into the freeware
version of SQL Server Reporting Services.

I can take any report in the world.. and export it to XML
my report defs are stored in XML.

and I have real XML datatypes.

I can email everyone an XML representation of any report.. without
writing a single line of code..
using the free version of SQL Server

 

[Ed from AZ]

so.. uh.. you don't have permissions download atwww.microsoft.com/sql
?
is that what you're saying?

Basically, yes. Oh, I may be able to point my computer there and
download something. But let an IT scan find it and I'm history.
Period. Not worth the effort.

Speaking of which - I'm sorry, Aaron, but just like the last
conversation, this one is getting nowhere and isn't very
constructive. So I guess I'll go point my efforts elsewhere.

Cheers!
Ed

 

[a a r o n . k e m p f]

I just find it funny.

of _COURSE_ your IT co-workers want you to use SQL Server for
everything.
Are you kidding me?

let me guess-- are you an Oracle shop or something??


-Aaron

 

[a a r o n _ k e m p f]

IT scan.. lol

oh jeez.. where do you come up with this stuff?

SQL Server is free. It's the worlds most popular database.

If your IT department is scared of the worlds most popular database--
then find a company with a future

 

[George]

Ed:

This may not be so obvious, but getting you, and others like you, to "go
elsewhere" is EXACTLY what Aaron is hoping for.

If he can harrass people into leaving the newsgroups, he wins.

Aaron doesn't care one way or the other what database you use. All he cares
about is wreaking havoc and grubbing for some sort of vengeance on his
imaginary enemies. His goal is to destroy this forum; his methods are all
too obvious. If you and others leave, he's accomplished his real goal and we
all lose.

Stick it out with the regulars who do care and who can offer rational
advice. It's not so easy, I know, but it's better than letting him think
he's won.

George



So I guess I'll go point my efforts elsewhere.

Cheers!
Ed

 

[Ed from AZ]

Hi, George. No - "elsewhere" was not meant to be taken as "away from
this NG." Although it did hit me that maybe I should have cross-
posted (multi-posted??) to the XML NG as well. It just meant away
from this thread, and hopefully away from unproductive conversations
with Aaron. He sounds like he has some knowledge - just wish he'd
share that more than his venom. If he wants some kind of vengeance
and vindication, the best way to do that would be to show people what
he does know and can do.

In the meantime, I'm no closer to any directions on my Access / XML
questions, so I'll probably wait until there's another lull in the
"Aaron storm" and repost, and play with it in the meantime so I can
ask some hopefully more intelligent questions.

Cheers!
Ed

 

[George]

I wish I had more XML experience to be able to draw on.

And, yes, the XML NG could be a good resource as well.

Best of luck.


Hi, George. No - "elsewhere" was not meant to be taken as "away from
this NG." Although it did hit me that maybe I should have cross-
posted (multi-posted??) to the XML NG as well. It just meant away
from this thread, and hopefully away from unproductive conversations
with Aaron. He sounds like he has some knowledge - just wish he'd
share that more than his venom. If he wants some kind of vengeance
and vindication, the best way to do that would be to show people what
he does know and can do.

In the meantime, I'm no closer to any directions on my Access / XML
questions, so I'll probably wait until there's another lull in the
"Aaron storm" and repost, and play with it in the meantime so I can
ask some hopefully more intelligent questions.

Cheers!
Ed

 

[aaron.kempf]

I'm not unproductive.

you just have this premise that SQL Server is 'too complex' for what
you're trying to do.

SQL Server _DOES_ XML and Jet doesnt

 

[aaron.kempf]

George;

you're full of shit... I just feel bad for the sad Jet losers.. Ive
seen too many of you-- sitting there, stuck in your cube.. driving
your 20 year old honda accord..
Just because you think that Jet is 'good enough'.

Jet is NOT good enough.

SQL Server has a native XML datatype, you can do whatever transforms
you need.
I've done a lot with XML in the past, XSLT, parsing, SqlXmlBulkLoad..

It's just stupid that you run around-- too scared to download a free
copy of SQL Server 2005/2008 Express.
It plugs into MS Access and it works _JUST_ like jet.. but without the
crashes and locking problems and bloat

-Aaron