Chapter 4: Database Integration

Chapter 4

So far we've covered the basics of XML and parsing XML documents. While these topics lay the foundation for using XML, they do not show you how to really apply XML. This chapter begins our exploration of using XML for solving real-world problems by focusing on a usage currently in the spotlight: using XML with databases.

We will begin this chapter with a short introduction to some important database-related history and concepts. We will also look at why XML is used with databases and discover some of the issues that can arise through the use of XML with databases. We will then take a closer look at using XML with one particular type of database, namely the relational database, where you will learn some of the common techniques used for exposing and persisting XML documents with databases. Finally, we will explore the features and capabilities provided by Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Oracle 9i for supporting XML.