XML Manager FAQ

The following is a list of frequently asked questions about our XML Manager component. If you have a question that is not here, please submit the question and we will add it to the list.

• 1. What's so great about XPath anyway?
• 2. Why don't you offer a trial version?
• 3. What versions of Java does XML Manager work with?
• 4. Can XML Manager handle really big files?
• 5. But I don't want to pay for an XML parser!
• 6. Alright, but how big is the jar?
• 7. How fast is it?
• 8. Does XML Manager support all of the XPath specification?
• 9. Is the single-developer license just for one named developer?

Answers

1. What's so great about XPath anyway?

XPath is a really efficient way to describe XML. If you want to get at a particular element you just point at it. It uses the same idea as file paths, so it's very familiar to everybody. In contrast, writing source code to loop through an XML document tree is just hard work. The other big advantage is that your XPath expressions are just data strings, so you can move them outside the code. That way you change them at run time and fix XML schema problems a lot faster.

2. Why don't you offer a trial version?

We don't provide a trial version of the XML Manager component. This component has a single, direct purpose, and we will refund your money if it cannot parse your XML file.

We do provide an online demo so that you can try out XML Manager on your own XML files.

Since XML Manager is a software component, the most important things are documentation, performance, and reliability. We have all those bases covered and then some. Our site gives you a detailed look at XML Manager before you give the OK.

We also offer a 12 month (1 year!) 100% refund period. So in effect you do get the equivalent of 12 month free trial.

3. What versions of Java does XML Manager work with?

XML Manager should work with JDK 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 on any platform supported by Java.

4. Can XML Manager handle really big files?

XML Manager can work with XML files of any size, the only constraints are the resources of your machine. Take a look at the performance analysis page for more details. XML Manager can handle streaming input, which means you can load records from your XML input source one at a time.

5. But I don't want to pay for a XML parser!

First, if you are a registered charity, academic institution, non-profit organisation or government body, you can get XML Manager for free. See our public service policy for details.

We also recommend the dom4j parser as an open-source alternative. We also provide a full return-on-investment analysis in case you need to make a case to the powers-that-be.

6. Alright, but how big is the jar?

0.35Mb. 355Kb. 363809 bytes.

7. How fast is it?

XML Manager can handle Over 5000 records per second. We provide a full performance report and we provide the performance test source code so you can verify the results yourself.

8. Does XML Manager support all of the XPath specification?

No, we support 80% of the XPath specification. But we don't need or want to support all of it. XML Manager is designed for high-speed single-pass processing of XML that contains lots of data records with lots of data fields. We use a subset of XPath that allows us to do this. We have an XPath support page explaining the details.

9. Is the single-developer license just for one named developer?

Nope. It's a floating license. Any developer in your company can use it. It just means that only one developer at a time can work on code that calls the XML Manager API. So you just have to decide who that person is for your team, at any given time. Some people use a bunny rabbit on top of their monitor (Just Kidding!!). Of course, if you rather not be bothered with keeping track, just invest in a team or business license and you'll never have to think about it again.

FAQ Submission Form

Use this form to submit a question for the XML Manager FAQ list. If we use your question, please note that we may edit or rephrase the text of the question, and that we may choose to answer your question privately.

We'll try to answer your question as soon as possible. If you like, we can attribute the question to you and put in a link to your site.