DataDirect Technologies announced the launch of XQuery.com. The website provides software developers and IT architects with a comprehensive resource for simplifying data integration via the power of XQuery -- the XML Query Language under development by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

The DataDirect XQuery product is an embeddable, database-independent component for processing and aggregating XML, relational data, SOAP messages, EDI or a combination of data sources. By setting up XQuery.com existing and prospective users can access the knowledge needed to overcome challenges with their data integration and service-oriented architecture (SOA) projects.

Visitors to XQuery.com will find a library of technical white papers; DataDirect XQuery product specifications, industry analyst reports, customer case studies and news releases; and a Developer Zone featuring tutorials, real-world examples, Webinars, video demonstrations, expert blogs and developer forums. The DataDirect XQuery product and supporting XML tools are also available for download.

"With the W3C XQuery Standard fast approaching Recommendation status, we wanted to offer the software developer community a one-stop destination for obtaining the most relevant XQuery information and how-to advice from recognized XML and XQuery experts," said Robert Evelyn, general manager of the XML business line at DataDirect Technologies. "We have achieved this goal with XQuery.com and hope the site will be embraced by XQuery users to further promote the advantages of this breakthrough technology for data integration."

The DataDirect XQuery product aims to provide fast, reliable and scalable XQuery support for all major relational databases and runs on any Java platform. The standards-based software product enables Java developers to access XML, relational data, SOAP messages, EDI, or a combination of data sources using a single XQuery. This simplifies data management and integration in heterogeneous environments and enables developers to build high-performance applications more quickly and efficiently. Last month, the DataDirect XQuery product successfully completed the W3C XML Query Test Suite (XQTS), achieving greater than 99 percent compliance and was the first product with specialized relational support to post results.