Oracle XML

Appendix A, "An XML Primer", describes some introductory information about XML, the W3C XML recommendations, differences between HTML and XML, and other XML syntax topics. It also discusses reasons why XML, the internet standard for information exchange is such an appropriate and necessary language to use in database applications.

What is Oracle XML?

XML models structured and semi-structured data and is now the accepted primary model for internet data.

Oracle8i has evolved to support complex, structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data. It is also XML-enabled and facilitates the storage, query, presentation, and manipulation of XML data.

For more information on how Oracle8i XML supports structured and semi-structured data, read on.

Chapter 4, "Using XML-SQL Utility (XSU)" will cover in detail how to generate XML documents from a database and how to store the documents back into the database. Further techniques are discussed in Chapters 16 through 23. In particular, Chapter 19, "Using XSQL Servlet" gives many practical guidelines for using Oracle XML technology and components with Oracle8i.

Oracle XML Components

Figure 1-2 shows the Oracle XML components in the box "XML Application".

Oracle XML components are comprised of the following:

• XDK¹ for Java
  • XML Parser for Java and XSL-T Processor

  • XML Java Class Generator

  • XSQL Servlet

  • XML Transviewer Beans

  • XML Schema Processor²

• XDK for C
  • XML Parser for C

• XDK for C++
  • XML Parser for C++

  • XML C++ Class Generator

• XDK for PL/SQL
  • XML Parser for PL/SQL

• XML-SQL Utility (XSU) for Java and PL/SQL

Figure 1-2 also lists the following typical XML-based business solutions:

• Business Data Exchanges with XML
  • Buyer-Supplier Transparent Trading Automation

  • Seamless integration of partners and HTTP-based data exchange

  • Database inventory access and integration of commercial transactions and flow

  • Services provided with XML. These also fall under
    • Self-service procurement, such as using Oracle iProcurement

    • Data mining and reporting with Oracle Discoverer 3i Viewer

    • Oracle Exchange and Applications

    • Phone number portability

  These data exchanges use Oracle Advanced Queuing (AQ).

• Content and Document Management with XML
  • Personalized publishing and portals

  • Customized presentation. Dynamic News case study, Portal-to-Go, and Flight Finder

Figure 1-2 Oracle XML Components and e-Business Solutions: What's Involved

Figure 1-2 also shows the following:

Oracle Development Tools

Internet File System (iFS), JDeveloper, and Portal (WebDB) can be used to build XML applications. These tools are summarized here "The Oracle Suite of Integrated Tools" .

Database and Middle Tier

The XML application can either reside on the database or a middle tier, such as OIS, iAS, Apache Server, or other Java enabled web server.

Data Stored in the Database

Data is stored as relational tables or as XML documents in CLOBs. interMedia Text used to search and retrieve from XML document stored in CLOBs.

When to Use Oracle XML Components: How They Work Together

For descriptions of the Oracle XML components and how they work together see Chapter 2, "Business Solutions Using Oracle XML" and Chapter 3, "Oracle XML Components and General FAQs".

The remaining sections of this manual, describe how to use the Oracle XML components, Oracle development tools, and how to build web-based, database applications with these tools.

Oracle8i XML Features

Oracle8i XML features include the following:

• Based on XML Open Standards

• Deployment and Application

• Supports Multiple Languages and Platforms

• Scalability and Performance

• Supports applications and servers

Based on XML Open Standards

Oracle XML components are based on the following W3C XML recommendations:

• XML 1.0 Core

• DOM 1.0

• XSLT 1.0

• XML Namespaces 1.0

• XML Schema. This component is available for download from http://technet/tech/xml however it is not described in this version of the manual. It will be described in a forthcoming release.

• XPath. This recommendation has not been made publicly available with this release of Oracle XML.

For further information on W3C activities, see http://www.w3c.org

Deployment and Application

Oracle XML technology provides a versatile infrastructure for use in flexible deployment architectures. It uses any combination of the following:

• Relational databases

• Middle tier systems:
  • Web servers, such as iAS (Internet Application Server)

  • Integration servers, such as Oracle Integration Server -- OIS

• Thin or thick clients

Supports Multiple Languages and Platforms

Oracle XML supports the following:

• Platform independent languages:
  • Java and Java2

  • PL/SQL

• Platform dependent languages:
  • C++

  • C

• Platforms
  • All Oracle8i platforms, including Solaris, Win32, Linux, and HP-UX

Scalability and Performance

Oracle8i XML supports the following scalability and performance related features:

• On-demand presentation through the application of stylesheets at runtime.

• Client-server performance through the use of server-side processing.

• Intelligent caching. Individual XML components cache stylesheets, DTDs, and documents, and work seamlessly with middle-tier caches such as iCache.

• Integrated load-balancing. The XML components are architected in a tiered approach to reduce bottle-necks and handle dynamic loading.

• Connection pooling. The XML components have integrated support for maintaining a pool of connections that enhance scalability.

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¹ XDK - XML Developer's Kit
² The Oracle XML Schema processor will be described in future versions of this manual. You can currently read about it and download it from http://technet.oracle.com/tech/xml. C, C++, and PL/SQL versions are forthcoming.