DB?

Another 2c:

I think if MrProject is going to extend to the scale that's being discussed 
here (to cover large scale engineering projects or as the project management 
system for a multinational), the XML file format has to be replaced by a 
database backend. Having a flat file sitting behind MrProject is what limits 
it to small scale. Given the availilibity of high quality open-source DBMS' 
(mysql, postgreSQL etc), this shouldn't be too hard to do.

The XML file format is nice because its a standard and anybody can write a 
front end to the file format to generate reports or graphs or what-not. 
However, as long as the db table structure is sensible, anybody should be 
able to use php to extract whatever they want. This may mean compromising 
eficiency for accessibility, but don't know exactly what sort of figures we 
would be talking about. One way or another, the ceilings you will hit when 
dependent on either flat-file access or having the entire structure held in 
memory will dissapear.

Of course, you could always dump to XML for backups, exports etc etc etc.

I'm currently in the process of implementing a heirachical tool in php/MySQL.  
Essentially I'm designing a tool for so our Sales force can see exactly what 
the consulting group are capable of, and hence what the Sales guys can sell 
(products), what deliverables exist within a product, what Skills and 
Resources are necessary for a deliverable, who has the skills etc etc. This 
will also assist to see what resources are necessario to offer a other types 
of products to hit management for tools, people, training etc.

An instance of one or more Products will for a Project. The deliverables 
become tasks. From this, I hope to be able to export a file in MrProject 
compatible XML and use MrProject as the management tool.

Ideally this will also link in with a Calendar so a saleman can see exactly 
when the product he wants to sell can be implemented.

All off this screams "database".

This may never happen (I never claimed to be a coder), but I'm learning a lot 
about DB design,  php and SQL. Admittedly, probably not enough to assist with 
MrProject, but possibly enough to be able to assist with documentation to 
help people with similar skill level's write there own interfaces.

Just an idea.

Regards,

Matt
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