1. A method for changing data for an extensible Markup Language (XML) construct in a Structured Query Language (SQL) compliant database management system (DBMS) that allows instances of XML type to represent XML constructs, comprising the steps of: receiving a SQL statement that includes an operator that operates on a component that is less than all of an instance of XML type; and during execution of the SQL statement, evaluating the operator by modifying content for the component without modifying all of the instance of XML type.