Oracle Corporation, committed to supporting XML in a wide range of products, has XML-enabled its entire Oracle Internet platform--the Oracle8i database, Oracle interMedia, Oracle Application Server, and a variety of other products.

Building Oracle XML Applications, by Steve Muench, Oracle's lead "XML evangelist" and a key Oracle XML developer, gives Java and PL/SQL developers a rich and detailed look at the many tools Oracle has provided to support XML development, such as the Oracle XML Parser, the Oracle XML SQL Utility, and the XSQL Servlet.

The company describes Oracle8i as "the first XML enabled database." This book shows how to combine the power of XML and XSLT with the speed, functionality, and reliability of the Oracle database to build flexible applications. The author delivers nearly 800 pages of entertaining text, helpful and time-saving hints, and extensive examples that developers can put to use immediately to build custom XML applications.

Products covered include:

• XSQL pages and the XSQL servlet: declarative templates and an extensive framework to assemble any kind of static or dynamic XML information and transform it for delivery using XSLT stylesheets.
• JDeveloper: a complete integrated development environment for Java XML developers, including editing, syntax checking, debugging, and more.
• XSLT Processor: a product that enables XML information to be presented and delivered in many different ways, using any web-based format, both inside and outside the database.
• XML SQL utility: an Oracle utility that works with the results of SQL statements as XML documents and uses XML documents to insert, update, and delete information from database tables, views, and object views.
• XML Parser: a product that lets Java, PL/SQL, C, and C++ developers process and construct XML.
• interMedia: a product whose Text option lets developers search XML documents from SQL and leverage the XML document structure for razor-sharp search precision.
• Advanced Queuing: an Oracle queuing mechanism that lets both PL/SQL and Java programs enqueue and and dequeue XML messages.
• PLSXML utilities: Oracle PL/SQL utilities that let developers using any version of Oracle produce XML from SQL statements.

The accompanying CD-ROM contains JDeveloper 3.1, an integrated development environment for Java developers.

Preface

I. XML Basics

1. Introduction to XML
     What Is XML?
     What Can I Do with XML?
     Why Should I Use XML?
     What XML Technologies Does Oracle Provide?

2. Working with XML
     Creating and Validating XML
     Modularizing XML
     Searching XML with XPath

II. Oracle XML Fundamentals

3. Combining XML and Oracle
     Hosting the XML FAQ System on Oracle
     Serving XML in Any Format
     Acquiring Web-based XML Content

4. Using JDeveloper for XML Development
     Working with XML, XSQL, and JSP Files
     Working with Database Objects
     Using JDeveloper with Oracle XDK Components

5. Processing XML with PL/SQL
     Loading External XML Files
     Parsing XML
     Searching XML Documents with XPath
     Working with XML Messages
     Producing and Transforming XML Query Results

6. Processing XML with Java
     Introduction to Oracle8i JServer
     Parsing and Programmatically Constructing XML
     Searching XML Documents with XPath
     Working with XML Messages
     Producing and Transforming XML Query Results

7. Transforming XML with XSLT
     XSLT Processing Mechanics
     Single-Template Stylesheets
     Understanding Input and Output Options
     Improving Flexibility with Multiple Templates

8. Publishing Data with XSQL Pages
     Introduction to XSQL Pages
     Transforming XSQL Page Results with XSLT
     Troubleshooting Your XSQL Pages

9. XSLT Beyond the Basics
     Using XSLT Variables
     The Talented Identity Transformation
     Grouping Repeating Data Using SQL
     Sorting and Grouping Repeating Data with XSLT

10. Generating Datagrams with PL/SQL
     Programmatically Generating XML Using PL/SQL
     Automatic XML Generation with DBXML

11. Generating Datagrams with Java
     Generating XML Using Java
     Serving XML Datagrams over the Web
     Automatic XML from SQL Queries

12. Storing XML Datagrams
     Overview of XML Storage Approaches
     Loading Datagrams with the XML SQL Utility
     Storing Posted XML Using XSQL Servlet
     Inserting Datagrams Using Java

13. Searching XML with interMedia
     Why Use interMedia?
     What Is interMedia?
     The interMedia Query Language
     Handling Heterogeneous Doctypes
     Handling Doctype Evolution
     Advanced interMedia

14. Advanced XML Loading Techniques
     Storing Datagrams in Multiple Tables
     Building an XMLLoader Utility
     Creating Insert Transformations Automatically

III. Oracle XML Applications

15. Using XSQL Pages as a Publishing Framework
     Overview of XSQL Pages Facilities
     Additional XML Delivery Options

16. Extending XSQL and XSLT with Java
     Developing Custom XSQL Actions
     Integrating Custom XML Sources
     Working with XSLT Extension Functions

17. XSLT-Powered Portals and Applications
     XSLT-Powered Web Store
     Building a Personalized News Portal
     Online Discussion Forum

IV. Appendixes

A. XML Helper Packages

B. Installing the Oracle XSQL Servlet

C. Conceptual Map to the XML Family

D. Quick References

Index