RE: about the "missing" axes in XQuery

> 
>   Why are there axes missing in XQuery?
> 
> I would assume this was to keep the language simple, but it 
> seems to me that many optimization tricks that are known for 
> these missing axes become more difficult or even impossible 
> if the user has to simulate them. So not having these axes 
> makes query optimization actually harder. So why are they not 
> in there?

Certainly, the argument I have heard most often for omitting them is that
it's difficult to optimize them (or to do static type inferencing, which
some people consider as being almost equivalent to optimization). I share
your views, but the reason that they aren't in there is that there are other
people who don't. Just keep pushing...

Michael Kay