From: l.szyster at ibm.net (Laurent Szyster)
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 16:08:18 +0200
Subject: Kosovo database; Python speed
References: <371DAAC2.D9046550@cs.utwente.nl>
Message-ID: <371DDBD2.A37EB85E@ibm.net>
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X-UID: 809                                                  

Richard van de Stadt wrote:
> 
> Suppose we were going to make a database to help Kosovars locate
> their family members. This would probably result in hundreds of
> thousands of records (say 1 record (file) per person).
> 
> Would Python be fast enough to manage this data, make queries on
> the data, or should compiled programs be used?

Given the purpose I would suggest the following:

1. Design an XML document which represents the entry form
   refugees would fill in. Make it as complete as possible,
   since you don't know what kind of statistics you will
   have to produce from those forms.

2. Make a small web application that collects those documents
   and automatically store them in a Web as XML and HTML. Basically
   it would consist of a CGI upload form.

3. Use a web search engine to index the HTML web.

What you end with is a effective way to collect data inputed
off-line, to publish and search it worldwide. With no need to
distribute software (everything happen on the web server).

Later you may build your own database(s) from the web, once
there is enough data and you know which statistics you want ;-)

Then mySQL should prove to be good enough.


Laurent
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