Nobody would question that the success of XML is based on its simplicity and flexibility. These two advantages have given enterprises the choice of deploying XML solutions designed for human- and system-based consumers. The document- centric approach focuses on using XML to create a semi-structured set of documents that present irregular content designed for human consumption. Data consumer-using tools like InfoPath and XHTML can read and interact with these types of documents. The data-centric approach focuses on using XML as a structured interchange language between machines or processes. Data is converted into XML and transported over a network connection as a SOAP message where a host system receives and then acts on the request.
Both types of implementation start and end with the data being stored in a relational database. A wide variety of tools that enable database access and retrieval using XML are available. These tools enable a sophisticated storage and retrieval of either structured or unstructured data. Even with the success of XML, the relational database is still the main repository for enterprise data. From large-scale enterprise solutions that reside in SQL Server to smaller departmental applications that use Microsoft Access, a tremendous amount of information is contained within these data stores. InfoPath enables access and visibility into the data stored in both SQL Server and Microsoft Access as a data source that enables the development of rapid forms-based applications. This chapter covers InfoPath development of applications using a database as the source of forms-based applications.