Microsoft releases XML kit, specification
Microsoft Corp. on Friday released a beta version of its XML (Extensible Markup
Language) for Analysis software development kit and an updated XML for Analysis
protocol specification, giving developers tools needed to write XML-based applications
aimed at spurring the deployment of sophisticated analytical databases across
multiple platforms.
XML for Analysis is a new online analytical processing protocol that enables
the transfer of information between analytical databases and client applications,
regardless of the language used to write the application, Microsoft said in
a release. It leverages not only the open Internet standard XML, but also SOAP
(Simple Object Access Protocol) and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).
The new protocol is designed to standardize the data access interaction between
a client application and an analytical data provider such as OLAP (online analytical
processing) and data mining. More than 50 industry-leading vendors contributed
to XML for Analysis, which Microsoft described as a vendor and platform independent
extension to its OLEDB (object linking and embedding database) for OLAP and
OLEDB for Data Mining protocols.
With the release of XML for Analysis, developers are able to add analytic capabilities
to any client for any device or platform using any major programming language,
Microsoft said. The beta version of XML for Analysis is available for download
at http://www.microsoft.com/data/xml/ XMLAnalysis.htm.
On Monday, the United Nations Center for Trade Facilitation and E-business
and the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards
(OASIS) announced they were working to integrate the Microsoft-backed SOAP 1.1
and SOAP with Attachments specifications into the ebXML Messaging Specification.
The move laid to rest industry concerns about interoperability issues between
SOAP and ebXML (electronic-business XML). IBM Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc. and
other vendors are backers of ebXML.
SOAP provides basic information about an electronic document when it's received
by a business partner -- a procedure referred to as "enveloping."
Officials of OASIS said Monday that the SOAP specifications for enveloping were
similar enough to a version planned for ebXML that they could support both methods.
The converged specification is scheduled to be released March 26.
Last week, OASIS opened the search for four executives to serve on its board
of directors. Nominations begin on April 2 and are open to the entire industry.
Eight directors, each serving two years, comprise the board.
» posted by ITworld staff
IDG News Service
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