Best way to store data for an online game?

[Neonotso]

What do you think is the best way to store data on a server for an online game? Basically, I'd like to store username, password, different statistics (level, experience, max speed, acceleration, jumpheight, etc.), the current level they have gotten to, and so forth, for each person who becomes a member. I'd like it to be (but it doesn't have to be, I suppose) in a format that is relatively easy for me to read, or able to be converted to such a format (and back again). I'd like it to be somewhat simple, but if there is a more complex way that is better, then please also tell me about it.

Thanks for your help,

Neonotso

[Joshtek]

You could go with SQLDB, Named Variable Object, Arrays, INI, Data Store 2, MagicDeque, XML Parser, etc. Unless you are expecting lots and lots of read/writes or need additional functionality for accessing/manipulating data, then I'd just go with INI (but not serverside IMI).

[James]

Isn't client-side INI a bit insecure?

[Joshtek]

Isn't client-side INI a bit insecure?

I wouldn't recommend any client-side storage, especially not INI. I was talking about INI files stored and controlled by the server, as opposed to the MooGame IMI files that are stored on the server but controlled by the client.

[Neonotso]

Okay, thanks! This definitely helps!

[Patrick]

Out of experiance i can tell the XML is the way to go.

[Neonotso]

XML? Okay, thanks! (I didn't see your post till today) I'm going to try it. I tried INI already, but there was a problem, so I'll switch to XML and see if the problem is gone or not.

[integrality]

what if the data is hosted in 1 application

http://www.clickteam.com/epicenter/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=33803&page=0#Po st33803

[Neonotso]

I was wondering, what are the differences in using XML compared to INI files? Currently, I seem to like the appearance of the INI files better, how that you can easily make changes to the file and such:

[Neonotso]
password = ******** (as if I'd let you see the password)
rank = admin
home = Actopia
type = energy
speed = 20
acceleration =225
deceleration = 225
rolltime = ?
jumpheight = -20
specialvalue = 90
power = ?
defence = ?
chargetime = ?
energyuse = ?
experience = 0
level = 1
version = 4

But then, what if I have hundreds or even thousands of people join the game? XML stores data in smaller sections (I'm using EasyXML because I don't have the Developer version of MMF2):

<Neonotso password="********" rank="admin" home="Actopia" type="energy" speed=20 acceleration=225 deceleration=225 rolltime=? jumpheight=-20 specialvalue=90 power=? defence=? chargetime=? energyuse=? experience=0 level=1 version=4 />

So, with INIs you could more easily find different stats, but in XML you can more easily find different groups. Is it just a matter of preference which one I pick? Or, are there some differences between the two that I should know about? (the problem with the INI is fixed, by the way)

[Ross]

INIs get a bit slow when the files get largeish, or if your using them in loops... i wonder how well xml goes in this area, never tried it.