how would you...?

[Sanoski]

I'm pretty new to programming. I've just been studying a few weeks off
and on. I know a little, and I'm learning as I go. Programming is so
much fun! I really wish I would have gotten into it years ago, but
here's my question. I have a longterm project in mind, and I wont to
know if it's feasible and how difficult it will be.

There's an XML feed for my school that some other class designed. It's
just a simple idea that lists all classes, room number, and the person
with the highest GPA. The feed is set up like this. Each one of the
following lines would also be a link to more information about the
class, etc.

Economics, Room 216, James Faker, 3.4
Social Studies, Room 231, Brain Fictitious, 3.5

etc, etc

The student also has a picture reference that depicts his GPA based on
the number. The picture is basically just a graph. I just want to
write a program that uses the information on this feed.

I want it to reach out to this XML feed, record each instance of the
above format along with the picture reference of the highest GPA
student, download it locally, and then be able to use that information
in various was. I figured I'll start by counting each instance. For
example, the above would be 2 instances.

Eventually, I want it to be able to cross reference data you've
already downloaded, and be able to compare GPA's, etc. It would have a
GUI and everything too, but I am trying to keep it simple right now,
and just build onto it as I learn.

So lets just say this. How do you grab information from the web, in
this case a feed, and then use that in calculations? How would you
implement such a project? Would you save the information into a text
file? Or would you use something else? Should I study up on SQLite?
Maybe I should study classes. I'm just not sure. What would be the
most effective technique?