Get a head start with eXist, the NoSQL database and rapid application development platform entirely built on XML technology. With this practical guide, authors Erik Siegel and Adam Retter provide a step-by-step guide for using eXist-db to build document- and data-driven web applications - by the end of the book, you'll create a usable piece of software. Learn everything from basic setup and querying through indexing, monitoring, performance tuning, triggers, and extensions - along with new features in version 2.1 such as forms, web application packaging, improved security, SQL queries, SSL, and support for producing and consuming JSON and HTML 5. If you have a basic understanding of XML, XQuery, and some experience with XPath, this book shows you how to develop applications with no external IDE required - just eXist.