Allora

Real-time, bi-directional XML-RDB transformation
Java middleware

Allora can generate XML from any database and write XML element and attribute values into any database. It is an XML database mapping platform that consists of: (1) design-time tools for mapping XML to relational data or text; (2) wizard support for popular application servers and IDE tools; (3) a rich set of application programming interfaces to the Allora run-time engine; (4) a Workflow Manager tool to organize and execute a set of transformation tasks with associated XML file manipulation; (5) a set of SOAP interfaces to the Allora web service engine for building distributed applications; and (6) a database connector for Funambol Mobile Application Server.

Allora works with any relational database that has a JDBC or ODBC connector. Allora has been certified to work well with over 20 different databases. Allora bi-directionally transforms XML and data stored in relational databases such as DB2, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Informix, Ingres, IDMS, Datacom, ANTs, MaxDB, Sybase.

Allora speeds development and deployment of applications involving XML-RDB/text applications by accurately and transparently transforming data structures between XML elements/attributes and relational database structures or text. Once Allora mapping is in place, full bi-directional XML-RDB access is enabled. Allora XML database transformation gives developers a simplified, consistent XML interface to relational data.

Allora's design-time components for data transformation include a graphical Mapper application, source code wizards, object interfaces, and sample source code. The design-time graphical Mapper application lets developers simultaneously see DTDs or XML schemas and database catalog structures. Also, the Mapper can automatically create XML schemas from relational databases and vice versa. Using the mapping files generated by the Mapper, developers can request data specifying XML structures rather than database structures or SQL. These mapping files are passed to Allora's interfaces by calling applications.

Allora offers a rich, flexible set of interfaces. Developers can refer to data by XML element/attribute references, including XPATH, or by RDB catalog structures. Similarly, they can exercise XML element/subelement methods or specify record/field SQL commands. The Allora OVLT API optimizes import and export of data within very large tables and XML documents. This API increases performance by an order of magnitude while minimizing local and database server resource requirements. Allora manages all SQL middleware connection processes for efficient and proper database interaction and data integration.

Allora's data binding object interfaces enable developers to create objects that represent database records. Data binding includes methods to iterate through records sequentially, yet retaining the XML formatting structures.

For maximum data access flexibility, Allora can also be implemented as a full-function SOAP-based web service for remote applications. Allora web service supports two client access modes: a SOAP interface mode and a higher level remote API mode.

Allora is currently certified to work with ACORD, AgXML, Bioml, CellML, CIDX, CXML, FpML, HL7, HR-XML, IFX, JusticeXML, LegalXML, MpXML, MISMO, OFX, PIDX, RosettaNet, UCCnet, VoiceXML, XBRL.
 

Key Features			Benefits
Graphical Allora Mapper for linking DTD's or XML schemas to RDB catalogs/text structure			Speeds application development and maintenance.
Run-time Allora Engine/API			Enables application XML transformation support
Real-time, bi-directional transformation between XML data and relational databases			Imports and exports XML data with your relational database
XML schema creation from database			Quickly builds XML structure for export and data sharing
Database schema creation from  XML			Quickly builds database structure for import and data sharing
Workflow Manager tool to design, schedule and execute transformation tasks			Simplifies building of simple applications to manage XML input/output and schedule transformations
SOAP-based web service for remote and distributed applications			Centralizes enterprise database access via XML
XML element and XPATH references to RDB structures			Provides access to enterprise relational data through XML data reference
Nested XML Support			Processes efficient, complex XML documents
Automatic query of database table relationships			Avoids redundant metadata declaration
Run-time referential integrity enforcement			Maintains database order, simplifies data access across multiple tables
Works with any relational database			Supports open architecture for additional platforms
Expression editor for custom transformations			Speeds transformation definition
Message queue support			Supports asynchronous application integration
Source code wizards			Jump start your code writing and integration
Sample code			Quickly answers developer questions
Updategram support			Supports standard format for database administration
OVLT API			Optimal import/export for very large data sets
Double-byte (Chinese, Japanese and Hangul) character support   Arabic character support			Localized data
100% Java architecture			Runs on heterogeneous hardware platforms

Allora Specifications
 
Design-Time Tools
· Graphical mapper application
· Source code wizards for WebSphere Studio, Eclipse, Borland
  JBuilder, Oracle JDeveloper, Sun™ Java Studio and SunForte
· Object interfaces
· Sample source code
 
Application Programming Interfaces
· Mapping
· Databinding
· JMS
· XPATH
 
Databases Supported *
· DB2 UDB for z/OS, i5/ iSeries, Linux, AIX, Solaris, Windows
· Oracle
· Microsoft SQL Server
· MySQL
· Sybase
· ANTs
· MaxDB
· and more
 
  * See: Supported Databases for a complete list

System Requirements
 
· JDBC or ODBC SQL middleware
· JDK v1.3 or later
 
For web service use
· Tomcat v3.2.2 or later
· JAXP v1.1 or later
· SOAP v2.2 or later
· Xerces v1.3.0 or later
· gnu regexp v1.0.8 or later
· JavaMain v1.1.3 or later
· JavaBeans v1.0.1 or later
 

View screenshot details
 

Integration Modules
 
· IBM WebSphere Studio
· Eclipse
· Borland JBuilder
· Oracle JDeveloper
· Sun Java Studio
· Altova XMLSPY
 

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