The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a relatively new and powerful markup based information definition language that is taking the world by storm. The self-describing nature of XML in a text-based format provides a level of flexibility in information exchange that was previously only found in our dreams. Through XML, formats can easily be defined to facilitate information to be exported into one common format, but be easily transformed into a variety of other forms. Microsoft SQL Server  is one of the leading Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) for the NT and Windows 2000 Server platforms. SQL Server 2000 is the latest release of this Enterprise class product, and provides all new functionality to support XML data operations and exchanges. This document strives to present an overview of both XML and the new XML integration features that can be found in SQL Server 2000.