size of XQuery developer community

[Robert Koberg]

> I remember years ago, when I was really frustrated that architects  
> would not _listen_ that Xquery
> was this wonderful and useful thing, I asked advice from Jim Gray.  
> He was always ready to listen and help,
> and, even though he was too much of a believer in SQL and schemas to  
> start embracing XQuery, he gave me
> the following advice.
>
> If you want people to listen then (a) write articles and give talks,  
> (b) write software that works,
> (c) make interesting demos. Then repeat, and don't loose patience.
>
> I think that at this point we have around XQuery lots of software  
> that does work: databases, in memory
> processors, etc.
>
> What we can do is write more articles, give more talks (Web 2.0,  
> eGov 2.0 anyone ?), and make more
> interesting demos.
>
> About demos: I am still surprised that nobody is trying XQuery's  
> mashup strength on the examples
> on http://www.programmableweb.com/.  Wonderful site, BTW.


I just don't think a language that feels it is acceptable for more  
than a few typeswitch cases is worthwhile (OK, I have my helmet on).  
XQuery has the simplicity to be able to run on an XML DB. That is it's  
main selling point. XSL can do much better if it could run on an XML  
DB. As for XQuery as a web application or scripting language, I think  
there are better.


>
> Or that noone is using XQuery on the http://www.data.gov/ site and  
> win the price of the best eGovernment application....

Or, why isn't the data transparent so we can see what we pay for?