The SQLX Group, currently redefining itself as a Task Group operating under INCITS H2 ("Database") develops specifications that bring XML together with SQL. Its specifications are submitted to other appropriate organizations for publication as formal standards. Initial work focused on publication of SQL data in an XML format (so-called 'publishing functions'), specifying the relationships between XML schemas and SQL databases, and definition of a new SQL data type for managing XML data within an SQL environment.

More recently, the group has been focusing on the ability to search for and retrieve XML information stored in SQL's new XML type, and working better with the W3C's emerging standard language for querying XML (XQuery).

The result of the group's work is a new part (called 'SQL/XML') of the International Standard for database language SQL, publication of which is expected in early 2003.

The session covers all facilities already submitted by the SQLX Group for publication as part of the SQL standard, as well as those facilities that are still under active development. Technical details about the new SQL language features are thoroughly covered, including examples. While this session is explicitly not a vendor presentation, attendees will also be exposed to the current state of implementation of these facilities in at least one, and possibly more, popular database products.