I have my objects with their properties. Objects could change their structure: properties may be added/removed/changed. Objects could be absolutely dropped. So object's metadata (description, classes, call them like you want :) )could be changed. The database should store objects schemas and instances of these objects. What's the best way to organise a relational database structure to store data mentioned above? Currently I see only two ways: 1) Store objects schemas in a few tables: schema general data,schema properties, possible properties types. Store instances in their tables: instance general data, a few tables - per each type from possible properties types table to store instance properties data. And so on. 2) store objects schemas like in p1 but store instances like XML files in one table: one table for general instance info and one table with instance XML. please, don't ask why/for what I need this. Just need to store custom objects and DB should work fast :)