Which JDBC feature introduced in JDBC 4.x allows working with XML data directly?

The SQLXML interface, introduced in JDBC 4.x, allows working with XML data directly within a database. This interface provides methods for reading, writing, and processing XML data, enabling Java applications to handle XML documents as part of database operations. The SQLXML interface simplifies the process of storing and retrieving XML data, making it easier to integrate XML processing with traditional database operations.

Using the SQLXML interface, developers can create, manipulate, and store XML data in a database, as well as retrieve and parse XML documents directly from the database. This capability is particularly useful in applications that rely on XML for data interchange or where XML is used as a data format for complex structures.

Understanding how to use the SQLXML interface is essential for developers working with XML data in Java applications. It provides a standardized way to manage XML within the context of a relational database, ensuring that XML data can be stored, queried, and processed efficiently and effectively.