Although XML is conceptually simple, its use as an equal partner datatype within a relational database, with full searching, validation and manipulation of data, is not intuitive. Now that the industry is more conscious of the use of semi-structured data and data defined by document markup, it is becoming more important than ever for Database Developers and DBAs to become conversant with the technology and appreciative of the cases where XML technologies enhance applications and their development. Robert Sheldon flexes his talent to make the complicated seem simple.

Stairway to XML: Level 1 - Introduction to XML

In this level, Rob Sheldon explains what XML is, and describes the components of an XML document, Elements and Attributes. He explains the basics of tags, entity references, enclosed text, comments and declarations  Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2013/01/09 (first published: 2012/09/20) | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

Rating: |  Discuss |   Briefcase | 19,137 reads

Stairway to XML: Level 2 - The XML Data Type

Robert Sheldon describes SQL Server's XML Data Type, and shows that it is as easy to configure a variable, column, or parameter with the XML data type as configuring one of these objects with any other datatype  Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2012/09/26 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

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Stairway to XML: Level 3 - Working with Typed XML

You can enforce the validation of an XML data type, variable or column by associating it with an XML Schema Collection. SQL Server validates a typed XML value against the rules defined in the schema collection so that INSERT or UPDATE operations will succeed only if the value being inserted or updated is valid as per the rules defined in the Schema Collection.  Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2012/10/01 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

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Stairway to XML: Level 4 - Querying XML Data

You can extract a subset of data from an XML instance by using the query() method, and you can use the value() method to retrieve individual element and attribute values from an XML instance.  Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2012/10/08 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

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Stairway to XML: Level 5 - The XML exist() and nodes() Methods

The XML exist() method is used, often in a WHERE clause, to check the existence of an element within an XML document or fragment. The nodes() method lets you shred an XML instance and return the information as relational data.   Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2012/10/15 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

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Stairway to XML: Level 6 - Inserting Data into an XML Instance

The modify method lets you manipulate XML data using XML DML. It can insert, alter or delete data. In this level, Robert shows how to use the method to insert a node into an XML instance.   Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2012/10/17 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

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Stairway to XML: Level 7 - Updating Data in an XML Instance

You need to provide the necessary keywords and define the XQuery and value expressions in your XML DML expression in order to use the modify() method to update element and attribute values in either typed or untyped XML instances in an XML column. Robert Sheldon explains how.  Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2012/10/29 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

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Stairway to XML: Level 8 - Deleting Data from an XML Instance

in order to use the modify() method to delete data from typed and untyped XML instances, you must pass an XML DML expression as an argument to the method. That expression must include the delete keyword, along with an XQuery expression that defines the XML component to be deleted. Robert makes it seem simple, as usual.  Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2012/11/05 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

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Stairway to XML: Level 9 - Creating XML-Based Functions

In this Level, we’ll look at how to use XML methods within user-defined functions to return XML fragments and values from your target XML instance.   Read more...

By Rob Sheldon 2013/01/30 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

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Stairway to XML: Level 10 - Converting XML Data

In this Level, we look at how to convert string values to XML and how to convert XML to character types.   Read more...

By 2013/02/13 | Source: SQLServerCentral.com | Category: stairway series

Rating: |  Discuss |   Briefcase | 3,516 reads