How to import a valid data set into MySQL

Posted by on 04 Mar 2011 in Notes

I've now got two datasets in the MySQL database, 1790-1799 and 1800-1809. Here's the relatively simple procedure for importing an XML dataset into the MySQL database:

Ensure that your XML file validates against bailey_trialfile_proofing.rng
Transform the XML file with Bailey_text_to_fk.xsl - this generates a new XML file with text replaced by foreign key values
Transform the result of the previous step with Bailey_add_id.xsl - this generates a file with a bunch of SQL INSERT statement
Import the SQL file into the database
Run fix_ranks.php on the web server to adjust the rank values for respites, outcomes, and trials

#1 is the most important step: if the file validates, then all of the other pieces will fall into place.

This entry was posted by Jamie and filed under Notes.

Capital Trials at the Old Bailey

Simon Devereaux has approximately 10,000 records of people convicted in potentially capital cases between 1710 and 1840 in London heard at the Old Bailey court. This project will create a web-based database which will allow interested researchers and members of the public to compose queries on that data (e.g. women charged with robbery 1710-1720). It must be able to support a range of queries and produce output allowing researchers to identify trends in judicial practice over that time.