Which of the following statements about XPath best practices is NOT true regarding optimal performance?

Using SQL instead of XPath wherever possible is not a best practice for optimal performance, especially within the context of a Mendix application. XPath is specifically designed for querying and manipulating XML and object-oriented data within the Mendix framework, allowing for efficient retrieval of data stored in the Mendix database.

When developing Mendix applications, relying on XPath for retrieving persistent data is typically the preferred approach, as it aligns well with the underlying Mendix data structure and can optimize performance when querying the database. SQL, while powerful, may not take advantage of Mendix's specific optimizations for data retrieval and may add unnecessary complexity and maintenance overhead.

The other best practices, such as avoiding unnecessary complexity in XPath queries, minimizing the number of nodes retrieved, and using the latest version of XPath, align with enhancing the efficiency of queries. These practices help ensure that the application runs smoothly and efficiently while properly utilizing the capabilities of the Mendix platform.