The use of XML types can allow the combination of XML and JAVA.RTM. type systems, which overcomes many deficiencies in existing marshaling and unmarshaling systems by translating XML schemas which define XML data in an XML document into XML types in JAVA.RTM.. Unlike traditional attempts at translating between XML and JAVA.RTM., XML schemas realized as XML types can remain fully faithful to the XML, and are capable of a number of XML data operations. In addition, the XML types can be easily transformed among themselves and JAVA.RTM. types, and a lightweight store retaining XML information at tag level allows incremental XML marshaling and unmarshaling.