DataDirect Technologies Releases DataDirect XQuery to Simplify XML and Relational Data Integration; DataDirect XQuery(TM) is the First Embeddable Component for XQuery That is Modeled after the XQuery API for Java(TM) (XQJ).

BEDFORD, Mass. -- DataDirect Technologies (http://www.datadirect.com), the software industry leader in standards-based components for connecting applications to data and an operating unit of Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS), today announced the release of DataDirect XQuery(TM), the first embeddable component for XQuery that is modeled after the XQuery API for Java(TM) (XQJ). Developers can download a free trial of DataDirect XQuery today at: http://www.datadirect.com/downloads/registration/xquery/index.ssp

"Internet developers typically spend much of their time creating and restructuring XML, using data from many sources, generally including relational data. This task is much too tedious in most environments. Using DataDirect XQuery, which is based on the W3C's XML Query (XQuery), simplifies the programming task significantly, solving the same problems with much less code," said Jonathan Robie, Program Manager for DataDirect XQuery and an editor of the W3C XQuery specification. "Using DataDirect XQuery means that your applications can run on any Java platform, accessing data from the major relational databases, using any Web server or application server, or using no server at all. And DataDirect XQuery performs quite well, even when your query creates large XML results."

DataDirect XQuery supports all major relational databases, including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server 2000, IBM DB2, and Sybase, on any Java platform, allowing developers to query XML, relational databases, or a combination of the two. Query results can be used for XML-based data exchange, XML-driven Web sites, and other applications that require or leverage the power of XML. DataDirect XQuery provides IT professionals with a highly productive, powerful, simple, and standards-based approach to XML and relational data integration.

Simplifying XML and Relational Data Integration

DataDirect XQuery simplifies XML and relational data integration by providing developers with an XQuery implementation that offers greater productivity, performance and interoperability for building standards-based data integration applications, and here's how:

--Productivity: Web services, Web sites, data integration, and publishing are just a few examples of the many types of applications that need data from many sources, including relational and XML. For the first time, DataDirect XQuery enables developers to easily process both XML and relational data using industry-standard XQuery. DataDirect XQuery simplifies application development by reducing the amount of code developers write and maintain to use XML and relational data together. The result: reduced application complexity, shorter development cycles and more powerful applications - all based on the current W3C XQuery standard yet to be finalized.

--Performance: DataDirect XQuery optimizes and mediates query performance when accessing relational data. DataDirect XQuery is designed to move the minimum amount of data out of the database - for example, XQuery code is converted to SQL statements which are executed on the database server - thus providing the best performance possible.

--Interoperability: It's easy to embed DataDirect XQuery in applications: it does not require any other product or application server, it has no server of its own, it is not tied to a specific vendor database or database version, and it is based on the current version W3C XQuery and XQuery API for Java (XQJ) standards yet to be finalized. Application developers can write one easy-to-maintain application, regardless of the databases and versions they are using - Oracle, DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, or Sybase. This approach results in more extensible and interoperable applications which are insulated from the frequent database updates and changes in the database vendor tools.

"In the past, our web-based XML Human Resources applications generated and sent XML data using data stored in an Oracle database," said Mark Zimmerman, VP of IT, at Gevity, a leading provider of employee management solutions. "We found DataDirect XQuery to be fast, scalable, and reliable. And because DataDirect XQuery allows us to leave the data access code in the middle tier, and not tied to a specific database, our application is insulated from any changes in the back end, improving application interoperability. Overall, we're very pleased with DataDirect XQuery."

"Most XQuery implementations either work only with XML files in memory, or are bound to a particular database or application server - these are serious restrictions if your organization or partners have different databases, require scalability, or need to integrate with legacy data," said Jerry King, Vice President of the XML Products Group at DataDirect Technologies. "DataDirect XQuery is the first and only product that truly makes your XQuery just as portable as your XML - you can use it on any Java platform, with any major relational database, and it integrates seamlessly with your Java applications using an industry standard query language and processing API. DataDirect XQuery is a quantum leap forward in data integration technology, providing developers with more power, performance and interoperability than ever before, and developers can download and try it out today."

Availability

DataDirect XQuery is available today. For more information, please contact Nancy Vodicka at 919-461-4326, or visit our Web site at www.datadirect.com/xquery. Developers can also download the DataDirect XQuery for a free 15-day trial at: http://www.datadirect.com/downloads/registration/xquery/index.ssp

About DataDirect Technologies

DataDirect Technologies is focused on standards-based data connectivity, enabling software developers to quickly develop and deploy business applications across all major databases and platforms. DataDirect Technologies offers the most comprehensive, proven line of data connectivity components available anywhere. Developers worldwide at more than 250 leading independent software vendors and thousands of corporate IT departments rely on DataDirect(R) products to connect their applications to an unparalleled range of data sources using standards-based interfaces such as ODBC, JDBC and ADO.NET. Developers also depend on DataDirect to radically simplify complex data integration projects using XML products based on the emerging XQuery and XQJ standards. DataDirect Technologies is an operating unit of Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS), a US$300+ million global software industry leader. Headquartered in Bedford, Mass., DataDirect Technologies can be reached on the Web at www.datadirect.com or by phone at [phone].

DataDirect and DataDirect XQuery are trademarks or registered trademarks of DataDirect Technologies Corp. in the U.S. and other countries. Java and all Java based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owner