When Microsoft dropped XQuery from .NET Framework 2.0 (Whidbey), it hadn't perhaps reckoned with Stylus Studio's mission to support what it calls 'XQuery for All!'

Having been a staunch supporter of the W3C XQuery working group - and having embedded XQuery support in their upcoming Yukon release - MS not only announced that they are dropping XQuery from Whidbey, it also failed to commit to ever supporting XQuery in .NET.

Since .NET Frameworks ship only every three or so years, cutting XQuery from Whidbey means that the next opportunity for XQuery to find its way into the .NET core framework won't be until around 2009, and even then it’s far from a sure thing.

That’s why the community of XQuery developers, led by Stylus Studio, is now launching a campaign to make XQuery a priority for Microsoft and has compiled a list of 10 simple things developers can do to help the cause.

1. Sign StylusStudio's Petition to Save XQuery
2. Tell your friends and co-workers
3. Know the facts about XQuery
4. Blog about saving XQuery
5. Spread the word on developer forums
6. Write about your own experiences with XQuery
7. Don't hide your light under a bushel
8. Tell the mainstream IT media, too.
9. Get involved with the XQuery community
10. Learn XQuery

"Clearly, Microsoft has been instrumental in the development of XQuery at the W3C, and they deserve a lot of credit for the great work they have done thus far," says Jerry King, Stylus Studio General Manager.

"But we believe that XQuery has a much broader applicability than just as a database query language," King continues. "XQuery is an essential middle-tier integration technology, and the availability of a dedicated XQuery API and XQuery processing components in Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 are critical, core infrastructure pieces for all developers."

XQuery in the middle tier, King argues, simplifies aggregation of heterogeneous, distributed data, and plays an important role in simplifying Web services and SOA implementations –- a fact recognized by the Java community through their work in JSR 225: An XQuery API for Java, and also recognized by dozens of Microsoft MVPs who have already signed the petition, and by thousands of XQuery developers world-wide.

"XQuery is too important a technology to be dropped from Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0," he adds. "We urge those who share our vision to sign our online petition."

Developers can sign the petition online at: http://www.stylusstudio.com/xqueryforall/.