Overview

eXist-db is an open source database management system built using XML technology. It stores XML data according to the XML data model and features efficient, index-based XQuery processing.

eXist-db supports many Web 2.0 technology standards, making it an excellent platform for developing web-based applications:

• XQuery 1.0, XPath 2.0, and XSLT 1.0 (based on Apache Xalan) or XSLT 2.0 (optional with Saxon)
• HTTP interfaces: REST, WebDAV, SOAP, XML-RPC, and Atom Publishing Protocol
• XML database specific: XMLDB, XUpdate, and XQuery Update (the current implementation will be aligned with the new XQuery Update Facility 1.0)

As of version 1.4, eXist-db features a redesigned XQuery engine and a new full text index based on Apache Lucene, resulting in improved performance. Other new additions include a lightweight URL rewriting and MVC framework, as well as support for XProc.

eXist-db is highly compliant with the XQuery standard (current XQTS score is 99.4%). The query engine is extensible and features a large collection of XQuery Function Modules.

eXist-db provides a powerful environment for the development of web applications based on XQuery and related standards. Entire web applications can be written in XQuery, using XSLT, XHTML, CSS, and Javascript (for AJAX functionality). XQuery server pages can be executed from the filesystem or stored in the database.

eXist-db Community

eXist-db has a large and active community of users and developers. The community uses mailing lists, IRC chat, a wiki, and social media — to get and give help, follow the latest developments, and share tips and discoveries.

Mailing Lists

The primary medium for asking questions and getting help is the exist-open mailing list. The mailing list's archives can be searched using markmail.org. Alternatively, you can browse the list via gmane.org (which also provides an NNTP service) or via the Nabble service.

All changes in the source code are published on the exist-commits mailinglist, which can be searched using via markmail.org too.

IRC Chat

The project has an IRC channel, #existdb, which is open for general discussions on eXist-db and related subjects. Join the discussions via a web-based chat client or use your favourite IRC client. Transcripts of today's discussions and an archive of past discussions are available.

Social Media

Follow @existdb for news and announcements about eXist-db on twitter, and use the #existdb hash tag. Find links about eXist-db on Del.icio.us using the existdb tag. Meet the eXist-db professionals on LinkedIn. Subscribe to the eXist Developer Blog, powered by the eXist-based AtomicWiki project.

Sources

The eXist-db source code is freely accessible via our SourceForge subversion repository. A nice way to view the source code online is through Atlasssian's Fish-eye service.

License

eXist is released to the public under the terms of the GNU LGPL open source license.