Open systems vendor throws weight behind XML

The search for an open interface standard has so far been concentrated in three camps: Corba, COM/D-COM and Java. But this week an object database vendor is throwing its weight behind a new competitor: XML.

An open interface standard would allow information to be shared between disparate systems. Jim Beagle, UK MD of Object Design, spoke to Silicon on Tuesday about the future of his company's technology and said that a new standard will grow out of XML, which is supported by companies like Microsoft.

The comments come soon after the Open Management Group (OMG), proponents of Corba, closed an important technology meeting in Helsinki. The OMG had agreed a set of 14 new specifications to improve the performance of Corba.

According to Eric Leach, the OMG's UK representative, XML is a "new kid on the block", and OMG will not be giving up on Corba.

Leach names two possible standards: Corba and Microsoft's COM. "I'm sure the majority of members wouldn't vote to change to XML," he said. "Corba is the best hope the industry has ever had of a standard, and it's built up a huge head of steam now."

Object Design's XML marketing manager, Coco Jaenicke, called that view "myopic". She argued that "XML will make the Corba/COM war obsolete. It's a much cleaner, more elegant solution. But excitement about XML is only starting to bleed into infrastructure support."

Jaenicke continued: "XML is so simple. It's really being pulled from the masses and not pushed from the ivory tower. There are companies building integrated applications with XML right now."