XML and the SQL 2000 Server, Part 1 - Overview of XML support in IIS for SQL 2000 Server
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Ascii-based XML's self-describing document structure is well suited for data exchange over the Internet, and makes it the standard language for the B2B business sector. XML is already the de facto lingua franca of the Internet. The following picture shows the various hardware/software items involved in a succesful exchange of data over the Internet/intranet.
As seen in the earlier section, support for bidirectional (xml<->Relational) manipulation of data makes it possible to send XML queries through an URL. Besides the URL approach, it is also possible to access data using templates and xpath queries, all of which is facilitated by the SQL 2000 server specific Virtual directory. Also, XML data in XML documents can update the relational database using update datagrams. As XML is a dominant feature of .NET framework, it makes it eminently suitable for databased application development. XML data access is possible both with ADO.NET and ADO, thus ensuring support for both technologies and providing a smooth migration path.
Before one can access data stored on an SQL Server through HTTP requests to the IIS, a SQL Server specific virtual root (also known as the virtual directory) needs to be set up. A detailed, step-by-step procedure is outlined in the next section.
Next: Configuring the IIS Virtual Directory Management for SQL 2000 Server: >>
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