db-xml

A PHP library designed to bridge the gap between relational databases and XML data formats during the early days of web services and data interchange.

Overview

db-xml provided PHP developers with tools to seamlessly convert data between MySQL/PostgreSQL databases and XML representations. This was particularly valuable during the early 2000s when XML was emerging as a standard for data exchange between web applications.

Features

The library offered:

• Database to XML: Convert query results to structured XML
• XML to Database: Parse XML and insert data into relational tables
• Schema Mapping: Define relationships between database schemas and XML structures
• Multiple Database Support: Compatible with both MySQL and PostgreSQL
• PHP 3.x/4.x Compatibility: Worked across major PHP versions of the era

Historical Context

This project addressed several key challenges of the early web:

• Data Interchange: Before REST APIs and JSON, XML was the primary format for structured data exchange
• Database Integration: Web applications needed flexible ways to expose database content
• Cross-Platform Communication: XML provided a language-neutral data format
• Early Web Services: SOAP and early web services relied heavily on XML

Technical Architecture

The library likely implemented:

• XML parsing and generation using PHP’s early XML extensions
• Database abstraction to support multiple database backends
• Schema validation and transformation logic
• Memory-efficient processing for large datasets

Legacy

While modern web development has largely moved to JSON for data interchange, db-xml represents an important step in the evolution of web-based data services. It demonstrates the early attempts to solve data interoperability challenges that remain relevant today.

Availability

The project remains available on SourceForge for historical reference and educational purposes.