Book excerpt: This guide for Web developers and database programmers shows how to build robust XML applications backed by SQL databases. After an overview of advantages of XML and SQL, stages of application development are detailed step-by-step, illustrated with examples of when and how each technology is most effective. Coverage includes project definition, data modeling, database schema design, and Java programming with XML and SQL. The book is intended for software developers managing small- to medium-scale projects. Appelquist is a technology consultant in content management and e-business strategy. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.