eXist-db is a native XML database management system and application development platform. Built in Java, it stores XML documents directly rather than requiring their structure to be converted into relational database tables.
The software uses XQuery as its principal query language, providing a natural way to search, manipulate and transform structured documents. It is particularly suited to projects where XML is the primary data format, including digital archives, publishing systems, document repositories and research collections.
eXist-db is more than a document store. It provides the infrastructure for developing web applications around XML data, with tools for writing XQuery code, building HTTP services and deploying applications directly within the database environment.
The database can also manage non-XML resources, while its indexing facilities help maintain performance when querying large collections of documents. Security controls and integration with existing XML development technologies make it suitable for collaborative and server-based applications.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Native XML database supporting document collections and hierarchical storage.
- Store XML documents alongside binary and other non-XML resources.
- XQuery 3.1 processing, including database-specific extension functions.
- XPath support for navigating and selecting document elements.
- Configurable range indexes and Lucene-powered full-text indexing.
- Keyword searches, indexed fields and faceted search capabilities.
- XQuery Update facilities for modifying stored XML documents.
- XSLT processing for transforming XML into other formats.
- REST interfaces and RESTXQ annotations for developing HTTP services.
- Browser-based development tools for editing application resources and XQuery code.
- Application packaging and deployment using EXPath packages.
- User and group management with permissions and access control lists.
- Support for external authentication mechanisms, including LDAP integration.
- Configurable database triggers for responding to document and collection changes.
- Scheduled jobs for automating database operations and application tasks.
- Optional document versioning facilities for tracking and restoring revisions.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: www.exist-db.org
Support:
Developer: Pierrick Brihayne, Leif-Jöran Olsson, Adam Retter, Dmitriy Shabanov, Dannes Wessels and contributors
License: GNU Lesser General Public License v2.1
eXist-db is written in Java. Learn Java with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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