Posted by Rob on 12/29/05 19:34

David Portas wrote:
> billy wrote:
>
>
>>Hello,
>> I have an XML data feed that I would like to use to create tables in
>>SQL Server. The xml data feed consists of a large amount of
>>information that changes on a regualar basis. Is there a way to
>>automatically create SQL Server tables using the data feed?
>>
>>Thanks
>>Billy
>
>
> In SQL Server 2005 you can use the XML datatype to store XML documents
> in a column but I don't think that is what you are asking for.
>
> Deriving a useful relational schema from an arbitrary XML document with
> no other information to go on is potentially a very difficult task.
> What is the information that changes on a regular basis and how does it
> or should it map to tables in your database? Do you know the metadata
> in advance or only at runtime? How will users or processes consume the
> data if its structure isn't known at design time?
>

I believe using SQL Server Integration Services can solve this IF the
XML document has inline XSD tags or an XSD file is available with each
feed. An XML Source can be added to a data flow task and its output
directed to a table which I also "believe" can be created on the fly
based on the source schema.

Be warned that I have never tried this task. My statement is based on
something I read late at night and hopefully remember clearly. If
someone in the group can confirm or deny my statement, I'll be able to
sleep tonight. :)

In any case, I'm curious to know the application for this type of
functionality as I agree that deriving schema and building tables on the
fly is a challenging approach.

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