XMLSpy - XML editor for IBM DB2 9 pureXML

Altova XMLSpy® 2008 includes deep integration with IBM® DB2® pureXML, providing customers with tools for working with pureXML data using XMLSpy’s industry leading XML development capabilities.

In addition to the powerful tools XMLSpy provides for working with relational data in IBM DB2 and other databases, XMLSpy includes specialized functionality for querying, editing, transforming and processing XML data in the DB2 9 pureXML data server.

Moving between relational and XML data

XMLSpy allows you to easily convert between XML and relational data, with easy-to-use functionality for:

• Inferring XML Schemas from existing database schemas
• Generating database schemas from XML Schemas
• Importing relational data into XML
• Exporting XML data to relational databases

Querying, editing, and adding XML Data to DB2 9

XMLSpy includes the user-friendly Database Query window for querying, editing, and adding XML data to DB2. When you connect to DB2, the Database Query window displays database tables as a hierarchical tree in the browser pane. The SQL editor tab allows you to display, edit, and execute SQL or SQL/XML statements to query the database, either by opening existing SQL files or creating SQL scripts from scratch using drag-and-drop and auto-complete functionality. 

A database query using SQL:

A database query using SQL/XML:

The Database Query window also supports direct editing (with certain restrictions based on user credentials, etc.) of the database data. You can add or delete rows, and even edit data directly in the Database Query window. All changes are highlighted in pink so you can review them before committing them to the database, and an undo button lets you discard changes at any time.

When a field contains an XML document, the Database Query window allows you to open it in XMLSpy’s text or grid view, where you can view and edit it with full validation and well-formedness checking. Context-sensitive drop down menus and entry helper windows provide you with valid options for inserting elements, attributes, and entities as you make changes.

When you save your changes, they’re committed to the DB2 database. 

You can even create, edit, and save new XML documents based on XML Schemas registered in the database, then add them to DB2 using the Database Query window. 

These features provide unsurpassed ease and flexibility for working with pureXML data in DB2.

Registering XML Schemas in DB2 9

DB2 supports validation of XML data in database columns only after the respective XML Schemas have been registered in the database. XMLSpy includes a user-friendly dialog that allows you to add, review, and drop schemas with a few quick clicks.

This new window makes managing XML Schemas in DB2 databases easy and intuitive, removing yet another barrier to working with XML data in DB2 9 seamlessly.

Developing and executing XQuery

In addition to SQL, IBM DB2 9 supports the XQuery standard, which is used to extract data from XML documents and XML databases. 

XMLSpy includes native support for standards-based XQuery development as well as support for IBM’s XQuery extensions:

• db2-fn:xmlcolumn (retrieves an entire XML column)
• db2-fn:sqlquery (retrieves values based on a SQL-SELECT statement)

You can also take advantage of the XMLSpy XQuery debugger to test and perfect your XQuery documents before running them against DB2 9. 

When your XQuery is complete, you can execute it directly against DB2 9 and view the results in XMLSpy, or you can deploy it in your own application.

XMLSpy’s deep integration with IBM DB2 pureXML gives you the optimal XML / data server solution for accessing, utilizing, and storing XML content.

Try it for yourself now:

• Download a free 30-day trial of XMLSpy.
• Download DB2 Express-C, IBM’s free relational/XML data server