19.1. Case for Importing and Exporting

If you haven't thought much about importing and exporting, it's probably because you don't need to use these features—yet. Many databases are completely happy living a quiet, solitary life. However, importing and exporting might come in handy for a few reasons. Sooner or later, one of these reasons will apply to you.

19.1.1. Understanding Exports

Exporting's the easier part of the equation. Exporting's simpler than importing, because it involves moving information from a stricter storage location (the database) to one with fewer rules (another type of document).