XML DB basic demo experience Oracle Headquarters Redwood Shores1 e1698667100526

XML DB basic demo experience

Introduction

Last week I have been investigating the XML DB basic demo at OTN (http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/xml/xmldb/9.2.0.2.0/index.html, Downloadable Demo). Unfortunately there is also a similar but older demo at http://www.oracle.com/technology/sample_code/tech/xml/xmldb/index.html (Oracle9i R2 XML DB Demonstration).

The demo shows a lot of XML DB stuff. It is quite comprehensive with a few installation quirks. Those quirks may have been caused by using a brand new Windows XP laptop and an Oracle 10g database.

Installation

Follow the instructions in the basicDemo.pdf with the following remarks:

  1. The HTTP page for the Microsoft XML parser has been moved to http://msdn.microsoft.com/XML/XMLDownloads/default.aspx.
  2. Modify the script install.vbs to replace the following lines.
    If not isNULL(iconPath) then
      oShellLink.IconLocation = iconPath
    End if
    

    by

    If not isNULL(iconPath) then
      If (iconPath <> "") then
        oShellLink.IconLocation = iconPath
      End if
    End if
    
  3. Unlock the Oracle scott account:
    alter user scott account unlock;
  4. Grant unlimited access on the default tablespace for scott:
    alter user scott quota unlimited on users;
  5. OracleSID in installParameters.xml is actually the TNS entry and not the ORACLE SID.
  6. Be sure to execute step 0.2 (Reset Demo)!

Demo

All examples run without any problems. The demo describes the following features of XML DB:

  • Storage of structured (XML schema) documents as well as non structured documents.
  • Access to the database via Internet Explorer (using the Webdav protocol).
  • Editing XML documents using Microsoft Word (using the Webdav protocol).
  • XPath, SQL and Oracle Text access.
  • XML stylesheet transformations (XSLT).

Conclusion

I think every Oracle developer/architect should run the demo. It gives a good overview of XML DB which enables developers/architects to decide whether XML DB can be useful in their projects. For me XML DB seems not only useful for storing XML but also for (simple) management content systems due to the support of the WEBDAV and FTP protocols.

6 Comments

  1. hyun October 27, 2005
  2. Sat Rahi June 23, 2005
  3. Mike May 29, 2005
  4. Marco Gralike May 13, 2005
  5. prabu May 11, 2005
  6. prabu May 11, 2005