Finally, my XSD book is ready and is available for FREE download. Thank you Red-Gate for making the free download available. You can download the ebook from http://www.red-gate.com/specials/Ebooks/XSD_0409.htm

I tried to explain XML Schema collections right from the basics so that SQL Server developers without prior knowledge of XSD can learn and build powerful XML Schema Collections to validate their XML documents.

Today, a lot of applications exchange information in XML format. As such, there needs to be an agreement between the sender and receiver about the structure and content of the XML document. An XSD (XML Schema Definition Language) Schema can be used to enforce this contract and validate the XML data being exchanged. With SQL Server 2005 came the new native XML data type, and with it support for a subset of XSD. SQL Server stores XML schemas as 'XML Schema Collections', representing SQL Server objects, such as tables, views or stored procedures. Based on an XSD schema, you can create an XML Schema Collection that can be used to validate an XML data type, variable or column. An XML variable or column that is associated with an XML Schema Collection is known as TYPED XML. SQL Server validates a TYPED XML value against the rules defined in the schema collection. INSERT or UPDATE operations will succeed only if the value being inserted or updated is valid as per the rules defined in the Schema Collection.

This book will help you learn and use XML Schema collections in SQL Server. Prior knowledge of XSD is not required to start with this book, although any experience with XSD will make your learning process easier. This book starts with the basics of XML schemas and then walks you through everything you need to know, with examples and labs, in order to build powerful XML schemas in SQL Server.

I have created a Group, Forum and Blog to discuss, answer your questions, listen to your feedback and give you latest information on the topics discussed in this book.

Group: http://beyondrelational.com/groups/the_art_of_xsd/default.aspx

Forum: http://beyondrelational.com/groups/the_art_of_xsd/forum/default.aspx

Blog: http://beyondrelational.com/groups/the_art_of_xsd/blog/default.aspx

I will be happy to hear your feedback and answer your questions.