xmlspy 5 Enterprise Edition

asp:review

xmlspy 5 Enterprise Edition

The newest release sports several new features you'llfind invaluable.

By Michael Riley

With claims of more than 1 million registered users,Altova has matured its xmlspy product from an XML-aware Notepad to a full-blownXML application development environment that interoperates with otherenterprise-class systems such as Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle 9i.

I reviewed version 4.1 in the premiere issue of asp.netPRO (see References), so rather thanrevisit the capabilities I explored in that review, I will focus primarily onthe enhancements offered in this latest release.

As you would expect with a new version, xmlspy 5Enterprise Edition is peppered with added features. Some of the more notableadditions include HTML-to-XML migration, which is great for organizationslooking to migrate legacy HTML content into more manageable, context-rich XMLformat; the ability to code-generate C++, C#, and Java classes from an XMLschema automatically (no more error-prone manual mapping of schemas to managedcode classes); and the ability to edit embedded schemas inside WSDL files,which is ideal for companies employing advanced Web Services developmentmethodologies. In addition to supporting SQL Server 2000's XML Schema Extensions,xmlspy 5 also supports Oracle 9i and Software AG's Tamino XML databases.

The application packages more than 35 XML industrytemplates, including the DocBook, P3P, NewsML, and XMLResume formats added tothis version. xmlspy 5 is still missing, however, the Open EBook Format (OEB) -an XML-based structure for the E-Book industry I helped author.

The ODBC/ADO database bridge supports XML SchemaExtensions from SQL Server 2000 and Oracle 9i. As with older releases of theprogram, xmlspy 5 supports source control systems, including MicrosoftSourceSafe and even Concurrent Versions System (CVS), via a free downloadableplug-in.

xmlspy 5 has two features in particular that I appreciatedmost. First, I like its ability to debug XSLTs - including conditional breakpointsand all the controls developers expect out of debuggers - using Altova's ownbuilt-in XSLT processor. Second, xmlspy 5 features an intuitive, visual WSDLeditor with validation support. Developers working on complex XSLtransformations will appreciate the debugger's dynamic call stack, grid-textbrowser, and XPath-supported watch windows combined with the ability to viewand make live changes to variables during execution. As for the WSDL editor, Ifound this feature most helpful when analyzing foreign WSDL files from variousbusiness partners, including both auto-generated and hand-authored WSDLdocuments. Seeing the document's design detailed graphically in the editorwindow allows you to interpret and test the file quickly without drilling downthrough kilobytes of text files filled with brackets and quotation marks. Theseadditions really put xmlspy 5 into a class all its own, and I began to wonderhow I ever lived without them.

The version I reviewed (Release 5.3) added enhanced OracleXML DB support for data editing. It also includes server administrationfeatures such as save, register, or delete an XML schema to Oracle XML DB;query execution using Oracle9i's DBURI; and Oracle WebDAV connectivity. Twoadditional features I appreciated in xmlspy 5 are support for WSDL documentgeneration (in Word or HTML) and visual editing of XSL:FO PDF generation code.And for Java developers, Altova has exposed the application via a Java API thatresembles its COM interfaces made available in earlier XML Spy releases.

Although I had higher expectations for its XSLT editor,it's clear with this release that Altova is cementing its position firmly inthe application developer's camp and not on the graphic designer's palette.Given the number of interfaces xmlspy 5 exposes programmatically, a goldenopportunity exists for a third party to wrap the functional-yet-sterile XSLdesigner into a page-layout package that keeps both programmers and pagedesigners happy. Nevertheless, with all the focus on making an XML programmer'sjob more productive, developers and managers alike will find the tool wellworth the investment.

Mike Rileyis a chief scientist with RR Donnelley, one of North America's largestprinters. He participates in the company's emerging technology strategies usinga wide variety of distributed network technologies, including Delphi 6. Readersmay reach him at mailto:[email protected].

References

Review of xmlspy4.1

asp:factfile

Altova Inc.

900 Cummings Center

Suite 314 T

Beverly, MA 01915-6181

Rating:

Phone: (978) 816-1600

E-mail: mailto:[email protected]

Web Site: http://www.xmlspy.com

Price: US$1,188

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