Strategic XML

Native XML Servers

A new class of emerging database servers markets itself as “native” XML servers. What precisely is meant by native varies from product to product, but generally these servers store and retrieve XML data transparently using XML APIs instead of SQL.

Most native XML servers support XML APIs such as DOM and SAX for accessing document data. Queries are generally performed using an XML selection language such as XPath or XQL. In some cases, the actual document contents are stored in a relational database and are retrieved on demand. Other products utilize proprietary hierarchical data-storage facilities. Also, because the domain of the DOM and SAX specifications doesn't address querying multiple documents, this functionality is provided ...