Designing tables for storing various requirements and stats for multiplayer game

Question

Original Question:

Hello,

I am creating very simple hobby project - browser based multiplayer game. I am stuck at designing tables for storing information abou

Answer 1

Update:

Judging by the comments, it looks like a lot of people have a problem with XML. I know it's cool to bash it now and it does have its problems, but in this case I think it works. One of the other reasons that I chose it is that there are a ton of libraries for parsing it, so that can make life easier.

The other key concept is that the information is really non-relational. So yes, you could store the data in any particular example in a bunch of different tables with lots of joins, but that's a pain. But if I kept giving you a slightly different examples I bet you'd have to modify your design ad infinitum. I don't think adding tables and modifying complicated SQL statements is very much fun. So it's a little frustrating that @scheibk's comment has been voted up.

Original Post:

I think the problem you might have with storing quest information in the database is that it isn't really relational (that is, it doesn't really fit easily into a table). That might be why you're having trouble designing tables for the data.

On the other hand, if you put your quest information directly into code, that means you'll have to edit the code and recompile each time you want to add a quest. Lame.

So if I was you I might consider storing my quest information in an XML file or something similar. I know that's the generic solution for just about anything, but in this case it sounds right to me. XML is really made for storing non-relation and/or hierarchical data, just like the stuff you need to store for your quest.

Summary: You could come up with your own schema, create your XML file, and then load it at run time somehow (or even store the XML in the database).

Example XML:

    
        
            60
            
                
                
            
            
                
                
            
            
                
                Get to Mordor
            Throw Ring into Lava
            ...
            Profit