Oracle and IBM have submitted a joint request for a
specification that will define how Java applications query
databases using a proposed language called XQuery.
Most applications today query databases using the widely used
Structured Query Language, or SQL.
XQuery, which is being developed at the World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C), should provide a standard way for querying data
stored in the emerging XML (Extensible Markup Language) format.
The Java specification request, number 225, was submitted
jointly to the Java Community Process (JCP) by Oracle and IBM and
is supported by BEA Systems, Sun Microsystems, Sybase, DataDirect
Technologies and X-Hive. It can be viewed at the
JCP website.
"This specification will define a set of interfaces and classes
that enable an application to submit XQuery queries to an XML data
source and process the results of these queries," the request
said.
Oracle and IBM are staunch rivals in the database market, but
both saw a need to co-operate on a specification that could be
important in furthering the use of XML and Java, technologies
backed by both companies.
Microsoft has also said it plans to support XQuery, although it
is not a Java supporter and appears not to be involved with Java
request 225.
The progress of the specification depends in part on the
progress of XQuery 1.0, which is expected to be finalised at the
end of this year or early next year. The Java specification must
also go through at least two drafting stages and a period of public
comment, meaning it is unlikely to be completed before late next
year.
Oracle and IBM have divided responsibilities for the
specification as follows, according to information on the JCP
website: They will jointly deliver the specification, Oracle will
deliver the reference implementation, and IBM will deliver a kit
that tests for compatibility.
The reference implementation and the compatibility kit will be
available as standalone products on a royalty-free basis.
James Niccolai writes for IDG News Service