Berkeley DB XML is a native XML database with XQuery-based access to documents stored in containers and indexed based on their content. Berkeley DB XML is built on top of Berkeley DB and inherits its rich features and attributes. Like Berkeley DB, Berkeley DB XML is a library, not a server, exposes a programmatic API for developers, and runs in process with the application with no need for human administration.

Thanks to Berkeley DB as the underlying storage engine, Berkeley DB XML inherits full ACID transactions, automatic recovery, hot standby, XA for distributed transactions, on-disk data encryption with AES, and replication for high availability. In addition, both XML and non-XML data can be stored in Berkeley DB XML, which may be an advantage for some applications. No other XML database in the market is based on such proven, field-tested technology.

Berkeley DB XML adds a document parser, XML indexer and XQuery engine on top of Berkeley DB. XQuery is quickly becoming the query language of choice for XML data access. Berkeley DB XML supports XQuery 1.0 and XPath 2.0, XML Namespaces, schema validation, naming and cross-container operations and document streaming. The XQuery engine uses a sophisticated cost-based query optimizer and supports pre-compiled query execution with embedded variables. Large documents can be stored intact or broken up into nodes, enabling more efficient retrieval and partial document updates. Berkeley DB XML supports flexible indexing of XML nodes, elements, attributes and meta-data to enable the fastest, most efficient retrieval of data.

Berkeley DB XML provides fast, reliable and scalable persistence for applications that need to store and retrieve both XML and non-XML data.