Stylus Studio 2007 Release 2 - Now available for free trial download.

Dear Stylus Studio Friend,

Stylus Studio® 2007 Release 2 is now available for online purchase or free trial download. This is our biggest "Release 2" ever, and we're pleased to offer brand-new XML tools, including a Query plan for visualizing and optimizing the execution of XQuery applications, advanced XML report generation tools, support for gigabyte-size XML documents, and Chinese localization. And if that's not enough, Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite Release 2 bundles the new DataDirect XML Converters 3.0 and DataDirect XQuery 3.0 releases! Read on for more information, or skip to the chase and try it yourself.

To celebrate this historic release, we're offering introductory pricing of 25 percent off all Stylus Studio products through next Friday. That's right – the 2007 Jolt Productivity Award and CRN Product of the Year can be yours for 25 percent off our every-day price. To take advantage of a great price on Stylus Studio's innovative new XML tools, just use the coupon code: NEW-SLOA-SALE when you purchase Stylus Studio from our online store. We're confident that you'll like what you see in this new release, and at this price you have nothing to lose.

Sincerely,
Ivan Pedruzzi, Stylus Studio Product Manager

Table of Contents, May 2007
> Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite Released
> Limited-Time Introductory Pricing Details
> Stylus Studio 2007 Wins the 2007 Jolt Productivity Award

1) Stylus Studio 2007 Release 2 Now Available

Stylus Studio 2007 Release 2, the latest and greatest major update to our industry leading XML IDE, is now available for free trial download or online purchase. Continuing a 10-year tradition of innovation and excellence, Stylus Studio 2007 Release 2 is packed with many exciting new features and enhancements geared towards enhancing XML developer productivity through innovation. Here are just some of the highlights of our newest Stylus Studio release:

• Query Plan: Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite, Release 2 introduces a new query plan utility. The new Plan tab in the XQuery Editor lets you visualize query execution plans and gain valuable insight into how DataDirect XQuery will execute your XQuery application, including seeing the type of SQL statements that are used to access relational data, when XML streaming is being used, which temporary tables are being created, when variables are being called, and more. Query plan support is available for any XQuery that uses the DataDirect XQuery processor.
• Support for Grouping Data Sources in XML Publisher: In Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite, Release 2, XML Publisher lets you create even more advanced reports through support for grouping data from nodes in one or more data sources. Using the new Create Relationship Dialog Box, you visually define relationships between different data sources, or between different data islands within the same source and then add those relationships to your XML reports using simple drag-and-drop functionality. And XQuery and XSLT code generation for HTML+CSS and XSL-FO is still just a click away.
• Support for Gigabyte Size XML Files: Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite, Release 2 implements new optimizations that permit the editing of huge XML documents. (This isn't marketing hyperbole – we're talking documents in the multi-gigabyte range!) Previous versions of Stylus Studio were no slouches, but editing tended to be limited to documents of around several hundred megabytes. With the new enhancements, significantly larger XML documents can be handled with ease, and at quicker execution times than experienced before.
• Bundled DataDirect XML Converters 3.0: DataDirect XML Converters are high-performance Java and .NET components that provide bi-directional, programmatic access to virtually any non-XML file including EDIFACT, X12, IATA, EANCOM and flat files — but what if you need to work with some other proprietary data format? Stylus Studio® 2007 XML Enterprise Suite, Release 2 provides powerful integrated tools for visually developing your own custom XML conversions, extending DataDirect XML Converters to work with virtually any kind of legacy file. Additionally, integration with our code generator and XML Pipeline tools further simplifies XML data integration application development process.
• Bundled DataDirect XQuery 3.0: DataDirect XQuery is an implementation of XQuery that can query XML, relational data, SOAP messages, EDI, or a combination of data sources. And the latest version of this powerful XQuery processor, DataDirect XQuery 3.0, is bundled with Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite, putting the fastest, most reliable, and most scalable XQuery support for all major relational databases at your fingertips.

We could keep writing about the exciting new features in Stylus Studio 2007 Release 2, but why not see for yourself and download a free trial or purchase a license from our online shop today!

2) Stylus Studio 2007 Release 2 Limited-Time Introductory Pricing Details

Stylus Studio has announced introductory pricing for our award-winning XML IDE! Just use the coupon code: NEW-SLOA-SALE at our online shop. Here's a list of Frequently Asked Questions about this exciting price roll-back.

Q: How much will I save?
A: We're offering an unprecedented twenty-five percent on top of the already reduced prices from our online shop when you use the coupon code: NEW-SLOA-SALE.

Q: When does this all expire?
A: Act before Friday, May 11, 2007.

Q: And what happens after May 11, 2007?
A: The sale will end, so don't delay!

Q: What was the coupon code again?
A: The coupon code is: NEW-SLOA-SALE

Q: Do I have this right? The all-new Stylus Studio 2007 Release 2, featuring more powerful and productive features than ever before, is now offered at astonishing introductory prices, but only through next week, and I have to act now or regret it forever?
A: We think regret is unhealthy, but, yes. Buy Stylus Studio now!

3) Stylus Studio Earns the 2007 Jolt Productivity Award

Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite was recently awarded the Jolt Productivity Award in the Design and Modeling Category for CMP Technology's Dr. Dobb's 17th Annual Jolt Product Excellence Awards.

The Stylus Studio group's mission statement is to enhance XML productivity through innovation, so winning the Jolt Productivity Award is thus a particularly meaningful achievement for our entire team. We sincerely thank the Jolt judges and you our customers for this great honor.

Report Generation

The relationship manager in XML Publisher provides a powerful and easy way to group and join data from one or more data sources, an essential feature for advanced report generation applications. A new online video tutorial entitled: Report Generation — Defining Joining and Grouping Data Using the Relationship Manager, covers the following topics:

• Creating a new XML Report in Stylus Studio
• Visually developing a report generation application using the XML publisher
• Specifying one or more data sources for use in the report generation application
• Examining the structure of the data source(s) in the data source explorer window
• Specifying related data fields, for example, primary and foreign keys
• Browsing joined or grouped data in the data source explorer window
• Formatting the output of a report generation application
• Testing and previewing your report
• Generating an XSLT stylesheet to create an HTML+CSS report

Watch Report Generation — Defining Joining and Grouping Data Using the Relationship Manager and simplfy your next report generation application!

XQuery Presentation

Presto Vivache writes about Minollo's recent XQuery presentation at the Washington DC XML users group - it's a very detailed. Thanks Presto Vivache!

DataDirect Stylus Studio Earns the 2007 Jolt Productivity Award

DataDirect® Stylus Studio® 2007 XML Enterprise Suite Wins the Jolt Productivity Award in the Design and Modeling Category for CMP Technology's Dr. Dobb's 17th Annual Jolt Product Excellence Awards

DataDirect Technologies, the unparalleled leader in data connectivity and mainframe integration and an operating company of Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS), today announced that the Stylus Studio® 2007 XML Enterprise Suite product has been awarded the 2007 Jolt Productivity Award in the Design and Modeling category.

Products in the Jolt Awards Design and Modeling category must fulfill multiple requirements, including GUI design, modeling, automatic code generation, and prototyping – all are features in the new XML Pipeline Design tools in the Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite product. The XML Pipeline editor simplifies the design and modeling of data integration applications by providing an intuitive tool to graphically express XML applications in terms of different XML processing steps, for example, converting, validating, transforming, and performing many other common XML processing operations. Software architects can model, design and debug their data integration applications at a higher level, and automate the generation of program code to run their applications. Furthermore, seamless integration with industry leading XML processing components including the DataDirect XQuery® product provides unparalleled application scalability and performance.

"The Stylus Studio group's mission statement is to enhance XML productivity through innovation – Winning the Jolt Productivity Award is thus a particularly meaningful achievement for our entire team", said Robert Evelyn, DataDirect Technologies VP of Strategy and General Manager of XML Product Group."We sincerely thank the Jolt judges and our customers for this great honor."

The Jolt Product Awards identify the most ground-breaking, trend-setting, top-of-the-line products that developers should be using. The Jolt judging panel spends weeks determining who makes the cut.

"Our judges and their decisions is one of the major reasons the Jolts are so coveted," states the Jolt Awards website. The Jolt Judges define who is ahead of the game by honoring products that are: universally useful; simple, yet functional; redefining product space; or solving widespread application development challenges.

View a detailed list of all Stylus Studio Awards, and visit the Jolt Awards website for more information about the Product Excellence Awards.

About Stylus Studio®

Stylus Studio®, a product from DataDirect Technologies, an operating company of Progress Software Corporation, is the industry's most innovative XML IDE, providing a comprehensive suite of advanced XML tools and scalable deployment components for working with XML, XSLT, XPath, XQuery, XML Schema, Web services, EDIFACT, X12, legacy data integration, XML Pipeline, XML mapping, XML Publishing and more. Used by leading software developers world-wide, Stylus Studio simplifies XML programming and enhances developer productivity through innovation. For more information, visit: http://www.stylusstudio.com.

About DataDirect Technologies

DataDirect Technologies is the software industry's only comprehensive provider of software for connecting the world's most critical business applications to data and services, running on any platform, using proven and emerging standards. Developers worldwide depend on DataDirect® products to connect their applications to an unparalleled range of data sources using standards-based interfaces such as ODBC, JDBC™ and ADO.NET, XQuery and SOAP. More than 300 leading independent software vendors and thousands of enterprises rely on DataDirect Technologies to simplify and streamline data connectivity for distributed systems and to reduce the complexity of mainframe integration. DataDirect Technologies is an operating company of Progress Software Corporation. For more information, visit www.datadirect.com.

DataDirect Technologies Shares XML Expertise with Developer Community at SD West 2007 and Regional XML User Groups

What: In its 20th year, SD West brings together the industry's top experts and visionaries to address all concerns of the development world. As a featured speaker Carlo Innocenti will deliver the session, "An XQuery Servlet for RESTful Data Services," providing attendees with a step-by-step guide on how to use XQuery to integrate data from multiple sources to create an XML or HTML result.

During the presentation, Carlo shows a servlet that provides a REST interface to any XQuery that a developer places in a secure deployment directory on an application server, then demonstrates the development of data services by writing XQueries that access XML, relational and flat file formats such as EDI to create complex XML and HTML results. Attendees are certain to walk away with a greater understanding of how to prepare queries for optimal performance and the benefits of using a query language specifically designed for XML data integration.

Who: Carlo Innocenti (aka Minollo) is program manager for all XML products at DataDirect Technologies. In his role, he oversees the definition, design and release of all XML products including DataDirect XQuery, DataDirect XML Converters and the Stylus Studio XML editor. As a recognized XML expert, he is frequently involved in the XML community with activities on new and updated XML standards and works closely with thousands of DataDirect customers.

When: An XQuery Servlet for RESTful Data Services
Thursday, March 22 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where: SD West 2007 Santa Clara Convention Center Santa Clara, Calif.

Continuing its commitment and support of XML technologies and devotion to the ongoing training and development of XML developers, DataDirect will present an XQuery overview at the Washington Area SGML/XML User's Group, March 21, 2007. For more information visit www.eccnet.com/xmlug.

DataDirect XQuery and Stylus Studio are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

DataDirect XQuery Earns Finalist Status In The 2007 CODiE Awards

DataDirect XQuery® Beats Out More Than 1,000 Other Nominees Earning Itself Finalist Status in the 2007 CODiE Awards

BEDFORD, Mass. – Jan. 22, 2007 – DataDirect Technologies, the unparalleled leader in data connectivity and mainframe integration and an operating company of Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS), today announced that its DataDirect XQuery® product, an embeddable Java™ component for processing XML, relational and legacy data using XQuery 1.0 and the XQuery API for Java (XQJ) stands out amongst 1,000 other nominees in the 2007 SIIA CODiE Awards by landing a finalist position for the category of Best Web Services Solution.

According to the CODiE Awards Web site, the category of Best Web Services Solution awards the best solution that best connects disparate applications and data across an enterprise or between enterprises using Web-services standards

"Earning a finalist position in the CODiE Awards further validates our approach to enterprise data integration," said Robert Evelyn, DataDirect VP Strategy and General Manager XML Products Group. "The DataDirect XQuery® product is the right choice for developers seeking a powerful, standards-based approach for working with large and small XML documents, or integrating relational, XML and legacy data sources."

Showcasing the software industry's finest products and services has been the vision of the CODiE Awards program since its beginning, but recognizing and praising the best-of-the-best is just the half of it. The CODiE Awards are truly one of a kind, providing a distinct opportunity for companies to earn praise from their competitors by being the only peer-recognition awards program of its kind in the industry. The official winners of the 2007 CODiE Awards will be announced April 17, 2007 at the CODiE Awards Gala in San Francisco.

“The 2007 CODiE Finalists represent real winners, even at this stage of the contest,” said Ken Wasch, SIIA President. “Competition is fiercer than ever and that makes selection as a CODiE Finalist a major achievement. All the companies on this year’s list should feel justifiable proud of their recognition.”

About DataDirect Technologies

DataDirect Technologies is the software industry’s only comprehensive provider of software for connecting the world’s most critical business applications to data and services, running on any platform, using proven and emerging standards. Developers worldwide depend on DataDirect® products to connect their applications to an unparalleled range of data sources using standards-based interfaces such as ODBC, JDBC™ and ADO.NET, XQuery and SOAP. More than 300 leading independent software vendors and thousands of enterprises rely on DataDirect Technologies to simplify and streamline data connectivity for distributed systems and to reduce the complexity of mainframe integration. DataDirect Technologies is an operating company of Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS). For more information, visit http://www.datadirect.com/.


DataDirect and DataDirect XQuery are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Java and all Java based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contact
April Harned
Articulate Communications Inc.
212.255.0080, ext. 11
aharned@articulatepr.com

XPath Tools

Extract Data from XML Documents Using XPath Tools

This introduction to XPath explains how to use XPath to extract information from XML Documents. Learn how powerful XPath tools for including XPath code completion, XPath syntax highlighting, integrated support for XML namespace management, and support for XPath 2.0 functions can dramatically simplify your next XML application.

The introduction to XPath tutorial explains how to:

• Invoke the XPath text editor from within the XML Editor
• Use the Intelligent XML-Aware XPath syntax help in the XPath editor
• Evaluate an XPath, for example, determining an element's count or position
• Browse the results of an XPath expression in the query output window
• View XPath query results as XML documents
• Configure the XPath query editor according to your preferences
• Write advanced XPath applications
• Work with XPath namespace URI's and prefixes in the XPath editor
• Use XPath backmapping to troubleshoot XPath results
• Generate XPath expressions
• Use the XPath editor in other XML editing views, including the tree view and XML grid view
• Understanding the current XPath context when evaluating an expression
• Invoking an XPath 2.0 function involving conditional logic

The Stylus Studio January Newsletter has been published. Here it is again in case you missed it!

Stylus Studio Wins CRN Magazine Product of the Year Award

Dear Stylus Studio Friend,

We can't think of a better way to start the New Year than by proudly announcing that Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite was named Product of the Year by CRN Magazine! The Product of the Year Award recognizes software and hardware that break the mold and set the bar for technical excellence. In a crowded field of contenders, Stylus Studio clearly distinguished itself, earning CRN Magazine's ultimate accolade for Web Development tools.

You can see for yourself why Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite won Product of the Year honors by checking out three new videos that we've just added to our website. These videos show you how easy Stylus Studio's new XML Pipeline tool makes creating XML applications that link XML transformations, and how you can use the new XML Publisher to create reports using XML and non-XML data!

The good news doesn't end there – Just like our videos won't leave you in the dark, we want to help you navigate 2007. Our XML Developer's New Year's Resolutions will help you get the very best from the coming year, from the world's very best XML IDE – Stylus Studio!

Ciao,Ivan Pedruzzi, Stylus Studio Product Manager

Table of Contents, January 2007
> Product of the Year: Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite
> Learn XML Pipeline and XML Publisher with new tutorials
> An XML Developer's New Year's Resolutions


Product of the Year? Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite!
CRN Magazine names Stylus Studio 2007 XML Enterprise Suite the Product of the Year for Web Development.

Stylus Studio! Hey, that's us! Stylus Studio is the product of the year! Naturally, we're very excited! And you should be too...

We've felt for a long time (ok, we've known it, right down to our bones) that Stylus Studio is the leading XML IDE, so we weren't taken entirely by surprise when we learned of getting this award. With full support for emerging W3C standards, a completely integrated suite of tools, Java code generation for XSLT, XQuery, and XML Pipelines, and so much more, and all for a single low price, we knew we offered tremendous value and competency. Still, to be recognized as the leader in a crowded field of contenders (Stylus Studio! Product of the Year! Ok, so it's still sinking in…) is no small accomplishment. Of course, we have to thank the CRN staff, our distributor partners and our loyal customers for your support, comments, and suggestions – you play no small role in the ongoing innovation that has long been a hallmark of Stylus Studio.

So, what does "Product of the Year" really mean? What does it mean for you?
It means that by using Stylus Studio for all of your Web Development needs, you are using the BEST product on the market! Bar none. You can't get a program better than Stylus Studio – even if you pay more. And Stylus Studio is just going to keep getting better. The Stylus Studio team is continually working to make a great product even better. We're honored to receive this award, but we know there's always more we can do to ensure that you always have the best programs, the best tools, and the best web development software available on the planet.
Read the full CRN Magazine article about Stylus Studio and learn more about their product evaluation process.


Learn XML Pipeline and XML Publisher with New Tutorials
Want to learn what all this Product of the Year fuss is about? Do you have a personal computer with Internet access? Then have we got a deal for you. Stylus Studio has three new, fun, and exciting videos — one look, and you'll see for yourself why Stylus Studio pulled down CRN Magazine's top award for Product of the Year.

Let's start from the beginning... Do you have data over there, maybe in a relational database; and you need to get it over here, say in PDF or HTML? Watch this new video tutorial and see for yourself how Stylus Studio's XML Publisher can help you solve tough single-source publishing, multi-channel publishing, content management, and other XML publishing application challenges. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, graphic WYSIWYG editing controls, and seamless access to XML and non-XML data sources, it's easy to see why XML Publisher is a must-have tool for building data integration applications in today's web-centric world.
But wait – there's more :)

Individual XML transformations – the XQuery and XSLT backbone of most XML applications – can be difficult enough to tackle (though Stylus Studio's XML Mappers can have you creating even complex code in a few short minutes), and putting them together? It's a scary thought for even the most seasoned XML developer… until now. Stylus Studio's XML Pipeline Editor is a powerful visual data integration tool for designing, editing, debugging, and deploying complete XML applications. XML Pipeline development is an expansive topic, and that's why we've devoted two online video tutorials to XML Pipeline application development.

The first XML Pipeline online video tutorial covers the design and deployment of a data integration application that aggregates information from various heterogeneous data sources, including CSV and EDI, then publishes the result to both HTML and PDF. It sounds complex, but as you'll see in the video, if you can drag and drop (you can drag and drop, can't you?), you can build an XML Pipeline application.

The second XML Pipeline online video tutorial covers advanced features and use cases of XML Pipeline application development – including cross-language debugging and Java code generation for easy deployment. See for yourself how easy it is to build an XML Pipeline that converts text and EDI to XML and then uses XSLT and XQuery to create PDF and HTML reports.

Watch these videos and we think you'll agree that the XML Pipeline Editor, along with all of Stylus Studio's other powerful and easy to use features, helps make Stylus Studio the world's leading data integration tool, ideal for simplifying ETL, EII, EAI and other types of data integration applications.

To view these and other Stylus Studio online video tutorials, visit Stylus Studio's XML video tutorial library. (Also available in High Resolution)


An XML Developer's New Years Resolutions
This year, my New Years resolution is...

Here we go again – another year, another neglected list of New Year's resolutions, right? I don't think so! This year is going to be different, and Stylus Studio is going to help. By now, you're probably wondering, "Can a class-leading XML IDE really help me accomplish my 2007 goals?" If that XML IDE is Stylus Studio, of course it can :)

Read "An XML Developer's New Years Resolutions" and find out how Stylus Studio can help you get ahead of the curve in 2007.

Jonathan Robie to Present at XML 2006 Conference

Lead Designer of XQuery Shares How to Write XQuery Servlet for REST Data Services and the Productivity and Performance Advantages to be Gained

What:

As a featured speaker at XML 2006, the world’s oldest and biggest XML conference, Jonathan Robie shares his vast expertise on the XML-oriented data integration language, XQuery with attendees of the Enterprise XML Computing track. In his presentation, “An XQuery Servlet for RESTful Data Services,” Jonathan provides a step-by-step guide on how to use XQuery to integrate data from multiple sources to generate reports in an XML or HTML result.

During the presentation, Jonathan shows a servlet that provides a REST interface to any XQuery that a developer places in a secure deployment directory on an application server, then demonstrates the development of data services by writing XQueries that access XML, relational and flat file formats such as EDI to create complex XML and HTML results. Attendees are certain to walk away with a greater understanding of how to prepare queries for optimal performance and the benefits of using a query language specifically designed for XML data integration.

Who:

Jonathan Robie is the XQuery Technology Lead at DataDirect Technologies, which specializes in data integration, data connectivity and mainframe integration products. He is a lead designer of XQuery, the W3C XML Query language and an editor of many of the specifications which define the XQuery language. He is also a co-inventor of Quilt, a predecessor of XQuery, and XQL, a predecessor of XPath.

Jonathan has been significantly involved in several other W3C Working Groups, acting as an editor for documents produced by the XML Schema and Document Object Model Working Groups, and has also participated in the W3C XML Information Set and XML Stylesheet Language (XSL) Working Groups. He is well known in the XML world, both as an innovator, speaker and blogosphere contributor (http://blogs.datadirect.com/jonathan_robie/).

When:

An XQuery Servlet for RESTful Data Services
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006
3:30 p.m. ET

Where:

Sheraton Boston Hotel
39 Dalton Street
Boston, Mass.
DataDirect Technologies will be at booth #12


About DataDirect Technologies

DataDirect Technologies is the software industry’s only comprehensive provider of software for connecting the world’s most critical business applications to data and services, running on any platform, using proven and emerging standards. Developers worldwide depend on DataDirect® products to connect their applications to an unparalleled range of data sources using standards-based interfaces such as ODBC, JDBC™ and ADO.NET, XQuery and SOAP. More than 300 leading independent software vendors and thousands of enterprises rely on DataDirect Technologies to simplify and streamline data connectivity for distributed systems and to reduce the complexity of mainframe integration. DataDirect Technologies is an operating company of Progress Software Corporation. For more information, visit http://www.datadirect.com/.

DataDirect and DataDirect XQuery™ 2.0 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Java and all Java based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

There is plenty of sound in an empty barrel

An independent XSL developer has published the findings of his XSLT processor benchmarking tests. A must read for XML developers concerned about scalability.