IMS is a natural database management system for managing XML documents because XML and IMS databases are both hierarchical. IMS allows you to easily receive and store incoming XML documents as well as compose XML documents from existing, legacy information that is stored in IMS databases. For example, you can:
You can store XML documents intact, decomposed, or in a combination of intact and decomposed. In decomposed storage mode, the incoming document is parsed and element data and attributes are stored in fields as normal IMS data. Decomposed storage is appropriate for data-centric documents. In intact storage, the incoming document, including its tags, is stored directly in the database without IMS being aware of its structure. Intact storage is appropriate for document-centric documents. Related Reading: For more information about storing and retrieving XML documents in IMS databases, see "XML Storage in IMS Databases" on page 321. |