The union of XML and relational databases creates a powerful tool with the ability to transfer information between two completely unrelated databases. With this book, veteran author Gavin Powell shows you how this confluence of two technologies can simplify your database work and provide a more standardized way to exchange data between multiple databases and web sites. You'll get an in-depth look at specific XML datatypes that are considered the most critical alliances between XML and a relational database. Plus, an introduction to the basics of SQL and numerous XML standards prove to be essential so that you can grasp database structure and comprehend how XML is used with the Oracle(r) and SQL Server relational databases. Throughout the book, valuable exercises and a surfeit of step-by-step examples will help you get an overall understanding of the topics at hand. What you will learn from this book * The platform independence capability that comes from using XML-- including independence from database vendors * The basics of XML, XSL, the XML DOM, and SQL * XML datatypes and features in Oracle Database and SQL Server * How to move data anywhere using XML (B2B) * Ways to read XML documents using XQuery and navigate documents using XPath(r) * XML, the object data model, native XML databases, and industry applications of XML Who this book is for This book is for anyone--from novice to expert--who is interested in learning the details of XML and database technology as applied to both XML and relational database technology, working together. Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.