best data format

[Kee Nethery]

I tend to convert the data into the format that is easiest for me to use.

If the data supports it I create one variable with rows delimited by a return, and the columns delimited by a tab. Then if I set the itemdelimiter to tab, I can get item y of line x of the data.

If I am going to pull it from the database and then modify it and put it back into the database, I tend to keep it in the format the database has it so that putting it back into the database is easy.

Kee Nethery

On Mar 28, 2011, at 5:09 PM, Todd Geist wrote:

> My question is what is the best format to use as my "local" copy of the
> data? I
> 
> Should I just leave it as XML, or TAB, or should I convert it to an array?
> 
> Are there significant differences in speed or facility between these
> options?