RE: [xsl] XSLT, Web applications, and "native XML databases"

["Houghton,Andrew" <houghtoa@xxxxxxxx>]

> From: Wendell Piez [mailto:wapiez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 12:06 PM
> To: xsl-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [xsl] XSLT, Web applications, and "native XML databases"
>
> At 09:00 PM 1/6/2009, Robert wrote:
> >>I am a huge fan of XSLT and document-oriented XML.
> >>
> >>I realize this may be slightly off-topic, but I am looking for a
> >>Java-friendly (XSLT-friendly) XML database.
>
> This is an excellent question, and even on-topic if we insist that a
> requirement be that the db also work well with XSLT.
>
> I've messed with more than one XML db, but nothing that fits the bill
> directly. eXist, which has been on my list for a long time, might.
> eXist does have a contingent of vocal fans -- some of whom I hope we
> hear from, especially if they can report (a) how well it works with
> XSLT and (b) what its actual strengths and weaknesses are.
>
> To broaden the question, hanging in the air is the concern over
> whether and how XML db technologies will support XSLT. As we've
> discussed earlier on this list, this seems like a natural fit,
> allowing for XQuery for optimized data manipulation and XSLT for
> presentation and interchange. But for whatever reason, DB vendors
> seem to be skittish about XSLT.
>
> Where's the DB that will break through this and take over the market
> with the superior mix of technologies?

I should point out that eXist does allow XSLT in XQuery through the
use of an XQuery extension function which makes for a powerful
combination.  The good thing is that if other DB vendors allow your
to create extension functions then you can do the same thing eXist
did, even using the same parameter signature that eXist uses, thus
creating some illusion of cross platform compatibility.

Andy.