Forms Based sre, but could that mean to a custom DB table?

Hi,

I have been reading all I can about CMSes, including the 100s of messages
that arrived over the holidays, and I'm still wondering if I even want to deal 
with such beasts, but I think I do, really I think I do!

Can someone explain to me how a product like OpenCMS or any other CMS
deals with 'Form based editing of content items'.  I know an HTML form
when I see it that is not the question.

Does this data go to XML?  I assume the answer is yes.
But does it have to stay that way?
I have a database full of interesting multi-column entries (not
document blobs managed in a database).  If I were to use
such a system would I have to
(a) change my storage paradigm and put everything in XML then into
a text field in a database.
or
is there the possibility with
(b) a 'simple matter of a litte bit of softare' I can store things into my 
custom database, but still have the CMS manage publising and accessability of
the asset?

TIA,
-Paul

(*) I happen to be a Java developer, so I'm interested in Java solutions.


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