Review: XML World's MissionKit

Altova MissionKit Professional 2008 is configured differently, splitting the bundle into architect and developer product groups. Altova's XMLSpy, MapForce and StyleVision products are included, with an option of bundling up to five additional products in either kit.

The company wanted to separate the tools by job function because it introduced two new tools called UModel and DatabaseSpy into MissionKit's two architect versions. The new products are primarily used for modeling and data mapping into relational schemas.

Not much has changed as far as pricing goes, since the $740 MissionKit 2008 is also discounted in a similar way. There's an exception to the new discount—the MissionKit can include more products and actually comes out a little cheaper than buying two of Altova's top XML products separately.

When building XML-based Web services by mapping data end points with MapForce, developers often have to interact with databases and expose non-XML data. DatabaseSpy now plays a key role in simplifying the process of accessing relational data in MapForce.

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DatabaseSpy is a client-based tool that provides connections to multiple databases. Even databases from multiple vendors can be viewed at the same time in the tool. However, when working with databases from different vendors, the steps involved in merging the data are more involved.

Because SQL dialects are slightly different among database vendors, developers have to create separate steps to access data from multiple databases. Output from one sequence is then fed into another. Tools such as Embarcadero Technologies' ER/Studio and CA's ERwin are more appropriate to use in those cases.

The biggest news in the previous version of DatabaseSpy was its access to IBM DB2 9 PureXML. With 2008, DatabaseSpy has grown into a mature database query tool. The new version supports stored procedures and views. The tool can create, edit and run stored procedures.

In addition, developers can edit database records on the fly. By running a query in DatabaseSpy's preview window, developers can modify data and save it back into tables after clicking on a commit button. The feature is useful when developing and testing applications. Developers can quickly create data sets and test them immediately.

Providing developers with connections into databases is certainly the end goal when developing applications. However, DatabaseSpy also plays a key role in designing applications because architects and DBAs often need to find optimal solutions when combining multiple data sources.

Architects also have to work with multiple technologies and juggle roles in projects so, at some level, all of the tools in the suite are needed to complete an application. With the introduction of UModel, architects can abstract the steps involved in working with DatabaseSpy and other Altova XML tools and reference them as activity, sequence and use case diagrams.

Next: The Bottom Line The tool is versatile enough so that even if the diagrams are not used in development, architects can still use them for design reference. UModel 2008 now integrates with Microsoft Visual Studio and the open-source Eclipse IDE. The integration between tools provides realtime model updates and any changes made to source code. The tool can certainly compete with higher-priced UML tools.

UModel also supports Visual Basic.Net, which is an often- forgotten language because it is not highly regarded by developers. With UModel, however, VB.Net can make development projects run quicker. UModel supports reverse engineering, which is useful for code reusability.

StyleVision and MapForce work well to develop style sheets to present XML data in various formats. Developers that work with StyleVision now have access to the same database connection wizard available in the other tools.

A database query window and SQL editor also are included. Developers do not need to jump to other tools for data integration. With the new StyleVision, developers might want to store data in XML format, HTML, Microsoft Word, a PDF or XML files based on different schemas.

MapForce has always been Altova's little engine that could. This tool is the most important one in the MissionKit bundle because of its powerful data-mapping features. In addition to XML, MapForce supports multiple data sources, including flat files and Web services. MapForce now helps developers that are writing data-conversion routines, mapping XML-based business files and integrating applications.

Developers can use MapForce to move data around databases, connect nonrelational sources with databases and even chain data transformations. For instance, developers can take data from a Web service, perform look-up functions from EDI messages and map results into a MySQL database. Developers can add special functions between each step to massage each data end point.

MapForce is an extremely versatile tool that works well on many development projects. The tool generates code once developers connect all of the steps and add scripts to transform data. The C# output is friendly to read and use.

With 2008, MapForce includes aggregate functions and supports data-transformation functions. These routines had to be coded using table comparisons and other algorithms. Transformation functions are bit more complex. Numbers can represent names or any word.

XMLSpy 2008 also comes with many improvements. The tool supports Office Open XML format and can now work with PowerPoint 2007 files. XML data from Office tools can be edited and repurposed. Developers can take advantage of Office files and use them in many applications.

XMLSpy supports W3C XPointer and XInclude, which allow developers to select documents or pieces and place them in other files. The new XMLSpy borrows features from DatabaseSpy, so developers do not need to leave the tool to build queries. The tool now supports SQL syntax in a new query window. The tool also supports XQuery. In addition, developers can use XPath expressions on multiple files. The tool provides separate tabs for evaluating expressions without having to retype them.

For application providers working on complex integration projects, MissionKit 2008 is an indispensible XML tool.