Development:XMLDB modifying DML functions
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XML database schema > Roadmap > Modifying DML functions
All the work could be performed in one branch, call it MOODLE_17_DML. Exclusively when Point 1 - Splitting datalib.php was finished.
Details
This is a long process in which a lot of scripts become affected although critical changes are, exclusively in the DML functions. The rest is a repetitive work, changing how such functions are used in hundreds of places and testing them carefully.