Altova, creator of XMLSpy, the industry leading XML editor, today announced the release of Version 2014 of its MissionKit desktop developer tools and server software products. MissionKit 2014 products now include integration with the lightning fast validation and processing capabilities of RaptorXML, support for Schema 1.1, XPath/XSLT/XQuery 3.0, support for new databases and much more. New features in Altova server products include caching options in FlowForce Server and increased performance powered by RaptorXML across the server product line. 


“We are so excited to be able to extend the hyper-performance delivered by the unparalleled RaptorXML Server to developers working in our desktop tools. This functionality, along with robust support for the very latest standards, from XML Schema 1.1 to XPath 3.0 and XSLT 3.0, provides our customers the benefits of increased performance alongside cutting-edge technology support,” said Alexander Falk, President and CEO for Altova. “This, coupled with the ability to automate essential processes via our high-performance server products, gives our customers a distinct advantage when building and deploying applications.” 


A few of the new features available in Altova MissionKit 2014 include: 


Integration of RaptorXML
Announced earlier this year, RaptorXML Server is high-performance server software capable of validating and processing XML at lightning speeds – while delivering the strictest possible standards conformance. Now the same hyper-performance engine that powers RaptorXML Server is fully integrated in several Altova MissionKit tools, including XMLSpy, MapForce, and SchemaAgent, delivering lightning fast validation and processing of XML, XSLT, XQuery, XBRL, and more. The third-generation validation and processing engine from Altova, RaptorXML was built from the ground up to support the very latest of all relevant XML standards including, XML Schema 1.1, XSLT 3.0, XPath 3.0, XBRL 2.1, and myriad others. 


Support for Schema 1.1
XMLSpy 2014 includes important support for XML Schema 1.1 validation and editing. The latest version of the XML Schema standard, 1.1 adds new features aimed at making schemas more flexible and adaptable to business situations, such as assertions, conditional types, open content, and more.


All aspects of XML Schema 1.1 are supported in XMLSpy’s graphical XML Schema editor and are available in entry helpers and tabs. As always, the graphical editing paradigm of the schema editor makes it easy to understand and implement these new features.

Support for XML Schema 1.1 is also provided in SchemaAgent 2014, allowing users to visualize and manage schema relationships via its graphical interface. This is also an advantage when connecting to SchemaAgent in XMLSpy.


Coinciding with XML Schema 1.1 support, Altova has also released a free, online XML Schema 1.1 technology training course, which covers the fundamentals of the XML Schema language as well as the changes introduced in XML Schema 1.1. 


Support for XPath 3.0, XSLT 3.0, and XQuery 3.0
Support for XPath in XMLSpy 2014 has been updated to include the latest version of the XPath Recommendation.  XPath 3.0 is a superset of the XPath 2.0 recommendation and adds powerful new functionality such as; dynamic function cells, inline function expressions, and support for union types to name just a few.  Full support for new functions and operators added in XPath 3.0 is available through intelligent XPath auto-completion in Text and Grid Views, as well as in the XPath Analyzer window.


Support for editing, debugging, and profiling XSLT is now available for XSLT 3.0 as well as previous versions. Please note that a subset of XSLT 3.0 is supported since the standard is still a working draft that continues to evolve.  XSLT 3.0 support conforms to the W3C XSLT 3.0 Working Draft of July 10, 2012 and the XPath 3.0 Candidate Recommendation. However, support in XMLSpy now gives developers the ability to start working with this new version immediately.


XSLT 3.0 takes advantage of the new features added in XPath 3.0. In addition, a major feature enabled by the new version is the new xsl:try / xsl:catch construct, which can be used to trap and recover from dynamic errors. Other enhancements in XSLT 3.0 include support for higher order functions and partial functions.


As with XSLT and XPath, XMLSpy support for XQuery now also includes a subset of version 3.0. Developers will now have the option to edit, debug, and profile XQuery 3.0 with helpful syntax coloring, bracket matching, XPath auto-completion, and other intelligent editing features.

XQuery 3.0 is, of course, an extension of XPath and therefore benefits from the new functions and operators added in XPath 3.0, such as a new string concatenation operator, map operator, math functions, sequence processing, and more — all of which are available in the context sensitive entry helper windows and drop down menus in the XMLSpy 2014 XQuery editor.


New Database Support
Database-enabled MissionKit products including XMLSpy, MapForce, StyleVision, DatabaseSpy, UModel, and DiffDog, now include complete support for newer versions of previously supported databases, as well as support for new database vendors:
• Informix 11.70
• PostgreSQL versions 9.0.10/9.1.6/9.2.1
• MySQL 5.5.28
• IBM DB2 versions 9.5/9.7/10.1
• Microsoft SQL Server 2012
• Sybase ASE (Adaptive Server Enterprise) 15/15.7
• Microsoft Access 2010/2013
 
New in Altova Server Software 2014
Introduced earlier in 2013, Altova’s new line of cross-platform server software products includes FlowForce Server, MapForce Server, StyleVision Server, and RaptorXML Server. FlowForce Server provides comprehensive management, job scheduling, and security options for the automation of essential business processes, while MapForce Server and StyleVision Server offer high-speed automation for projects designed using familiar Altova MissionKit developer tools. RaptorXML Server is the third-generation, hyper-fast validation and processing engine for XML and XBRL.

Starting with Version 2014, Altova server products are powered by RaptorXML for faster, more efficient processing. In addition, FlowForce Server now supports results caching for jobs that require a long time to process, for instance when a job requires complex database queries or needs to make its own Web service data requests. FlowForce Server administrators can now schedule execution of a time-consuming job and cache the results to prevent these delays. The cached data can then be provided when any user executes the job as a service, delivering instant results. A job that generates a customized sales report for the previous day would be a good application for caching.

These and many more features are available in the 2014 Version of MissionKit desktop developer tools and Server software. For a complete list of new features, supported standards, and trial downloads please visit: http://www.altova.com/whatsnew.html