Anyone using XML extension in place of the relational model and if so, what (or if) are the benefits?

Personally, I can't see it being of any value...just another layer to obfuscate the Relational Model

I assume you mean PureXML. Don't even consider XML Extender since it is depricated and will not be supported in future releases.

There is a lot of data that is already in XML format these days when a company gets it and/or sends it out to other systems, so it does make sense in some situations to store it that way.

ok..yes to store...but to report from or Modify?

My Boss is hot on it and is going to a 3 day seminar...

I said no thanks

PureXML is used by a lot of DB2 customers. While I tend to agree that it is not in sync with the pure relational model invented by Codd, there are a lot of features in today's DBMSs that aren't either. I consider at least some knowledge of XML in DB2 to be a good thing - even if you don't need it today.

OK, the "class" was held by VMWare

I didn't go but go the materials...it was a lab...but noexpl. of the benefits over straight ahead sql

Looks like a sales pitch

Nothing against VMware - they make good products - but I guess I would rather attend a class by a database vendor. (Even if one considers that most database system developers are just frustrated operating system developers. ;-) )