The Apache Software Foundation this week unveiled the Apache XML Project, an effort dedicated to developing a common set of open
source Internet tools, and thus a set of common Internet standards, for XML.
Several vendors, including IBM Corp. (IBM) and Sun Microsystems Inc. (SUNW) have donated technology
to the effort. The Apache XML Project will strive to keep this key Web
technology uniform by increasing its popularity with open source tools.
The intent of the Apache XML Project, according to Brian Behlendorf,
president of the Apache Software Foundation, is that by pulling together
technologies, XML will remain a level playing field throughout the industry.
Just as HTTP and Java have common sets of standards, the Apache XML Project
hopes to do the same for XML.
To accomplish this, the Apache XML Project will follow a three-fold mission:
- Provide commercial-quality, standards-based XML solutions developed in an
open and cooperative fashion - Provide feedback to standards bodies (such as the IETF and W3C) from an
implementation perspective - Be a focus for XML-related activities within Apache projects
The Apache XML Project has been broken down into four subprojects: Xerces
(XML parsers in Java, C++ and Perl), Xalan (stylesheet processors in Java
and C++), FOP (an XSL formatting processor in Java) and Cocoon (a framework
for XML-based Web publishing).
IBM and Sun have donated their more popular parsers, which fall into the
Xerces subproject. IBMs XML4J and XML4C read and validate XML documents.
These parsers are already free of charge and have been downloaded more than
100,000 times. Sun has offered its Java Project X and XHTML Parser. Java
Project X is a high-performance and fully conformant XML parser with
optional validation that provides essential functionality for reading,
manipulating and generating XML text. XHTML Parser is an experimental parser
for reading and writing XHTML.
Other technology providers include Lotus Development Corp. and DataChannel.
Additional technology in the Apache XML Project is FOP, Cocoon, OpenXML and
XSL:P.
The source code for Xerces, Xalan FOP and Cocoon can be obtained here, under the basic Apache license. As with
other Apache code, the organization requires credit for the code be
attributed back to Apache. Like with other Apache undertakings, the Apache
XML Project is open to any developer or company.
